16 Oct 2023 Arkansas PBS wins five Mid-America Emmy Awards

CONWAY — Arkansas PBS won five regional Emmy Awards from the Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for original, local productions. Award winning productions may be viewed at myarpbs.org/awardwinning.

“At Arkansas PBS, we continue to expand our role as Arkansas’s storyteller, taking great pride in being acknowledged this year with five prestigious regional Emmy Awards,” CEO Courtney Pledger said. “Our outstanding Arkansas PBS team consistently strives for excellence.

“I send my deepest congratulations to them and to our invaluable community collaborators!”

Arkansas PBS won the following Mid-America Regional Emmy Awards:

• “One and Only Canaan Sandy” – Sports Story – Short Form Content. Produced by Eric White and Corey Womack. ESPN Fan Hall of Famer Canaan Sandy has never let his Down Syndrome slow him down as he and his mother have spent the last 40 years cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks.
• “Blueberry’s Clubhouse: Campfire Tales” – Director – Short or Long Form Content. Directed by Corey Womack. This original pre-K-2 children’s program features Blueberry, a curious puppet guide, and her friends at Camp Onomatopoeia participating in fun, engaging and insightful summer activities across The Natural State. The series is produced in partnership with the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
• “Dirt” – Audio – Live or Post-Production. Audio by Tracy Prince. This original Arkansas PBS documentary addresses soil conservation and delves into how Arkansas farmers are improving their operations by helping the environment. Major funding for “Dirt” was provided by the Pulaski County Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Arkansas.
• “Songs Away With Mr. Steve, The Music Man” – Musical Composition/Arrangement. Composed by Steve Lee. This song was produced as part of “Rise and Shine,” an extensive educational program designed to boost summer learning and help K-5 students retain academic learning targets.
• “Be Pro, Be Proud: Tyson” – Business/Consumer – Short Form Content. Produced by Cody Scott. Produced in partnership with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce’s “Be Pro, Be Proud” program, this segment looks at the skills it takes to pay the bills as a maintenance technician with the team at Tyson Foods in Springdale, Arkansas.

Arkansas PBS received a number of other nominations, including:

• “Sportraits” – Sports Story – Short Form Content. Produced by Terrell Case.
• “Sportraits” – Editor – Short Form or Long Form Content. Edited by Terrell Case.
• “Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame” – Historical/Cultural – Short Form Content. Produced by Paulina Sobczak.
• “Dirt” – Documentary – Cultural. Produced by Jennifer Gibson.
• “Blueberry’s Clubhouse: Campfire Tales” – Arts/Entertainment – Long Form Content. Produced by Terrell Case, Eric White, Corey Womack and Rivka Kuperman.
• “Blueberry’s Clubhouse: Snawfuss Animation” – Graphic Arts – Motion Graphics and Visual Effects. Graphics by Greg Mobley.
• “Let’s Take a Vacation” – Entertainment – Short Form Content. Produced by Levi Agee.
• “Let’s Take a Vacation” – Director – Short or Long Form Content. Directed by Levi Agee.
• “Songs Away” – Director – Short or Long Form Content. Directed by Eric White.
• “Songs Away” – Editor – Short or Long Form Content. Edited by Eric White.
• “Songs Away” – Graphic Arts – Motion Graphics and Visual Effects. Graphics by Eric White.
• “Yo-Yo Ma & Carrie Mae Weems at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art” – Special Event Coverage – Live. Produced by Anita Grote.
• “Dolly Parton Interview” – Interview/Discussion – Short Form or Long Form Content. Produced by Sajni Kumpuris.

All nominated productions may be viewed in playlist at myarpbs.org/awardnominated. The complete list of nominees and winners may be viewed here.