Moving Forward

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Introduction

Moving Forward is an ambitious and transformational effort to create a new generation of public media with greater community impact. At the center of this bold plan is the building of Austin PBS’s new home – The Austin Media Center – and a growing partnership with Austin Community College on the Highland Campus.

View of the entry stairs with new Austin PBS signage at the new location of Austin PBS.

With a shared vision to serve as a catalyst and model for harnessing the power of public media for positive change, Austin PBS is partnering with ACC and, in spring 2021, will move to the ACC Highland Campus to:

  • Open the Austin Media Center – a 45,000 square foot, state-of-the art facility serving as the station’s new base for operations and services, allowing the station to be more visible, more accessible, and more responsive to our diverse and changing Central Texas community;
  • Maximize the resulting opportunities for increased engagement and collaboration with existing and emerging audiences and community partners to strengthen our community’s educational, social, democratic, and cultural health; and
  • Lead the way for public media renewal and redesign in the digital age through innovative programs such as the Media Innovation Center of Excellence, Community Issue Amplifiers, and Educational Resource Center.

Testimonials

  • The station’s move to ACC Highland helps ensure Austin PBS continues to thrive for years to come, expanding the impact of public media and creating opportunities for the next generation of Central Texans. Tyson Tuttle
    CEO of Silicon Labs and
    Co-Chair of the Moving Forward Committee
  • Our family is especially proud to support this move and the phenomenal future it affords for all of us in Austin. I believe my parents would be very proud of how far PBS in Austin has come. I know I am! Luci Baines Johnson
  • Austin PBS has always been a community convener and we constantly strive to do even more — on air and online, and, importantly, in-person. It is one of the many reasons I am happy to financially (and otherwise) support Austin PBS and our efforts as we move forward. Catherine Robb
    Co-Chair of the Moving Forward Committee

Our Plans

As the region’s only community-supported, locally-owned PBS station, Austin PBS works hard every day to find new and different ways to reach and engage our community.

The Austin Media Center is destined to become one of the most unique and energizing spaces, and will serve as a base and platform from which Central Texans can gather, learn, share, and create.

Rendering of the Community Conference Suite at the new Austin PBS facilities, with rows of conference tables and chairs.

Community Conference Suite: event and meeting space available for nonprofit and Austin PBS partners - 100+ capacity

Thank you to St. David's Foundation for their generous support of this space.

Rendering of the Atrium area, with people gathered for an event.

Atrium & Events Space: an expansive three-story atrium coupled with special events space - 4,800 combined square feet/300+ capacity

A rendering of a person under the spotlight on the Community Sound Stage, being filmed.

Community Sound Stage: will serve as the central hub for live broadcasts, host community conversations and panel discussions inspired by PBS content - 6,500 square feet/400+ seating capacity

Thank you to Mary Pfluger & Gary Keller for their generous support of this space.

A rendering of people on stage in conversation for a production being made in the Digital Incubator Studio.

Digital Incubator Studio: designed to support new production formats and collaborations - 1,500 square feet

A rendering of people gathered in the lobby of the new Austin PBS facilities.

Leadership

Under the guidance and leadership of Board members Catherine Robb, granddaughter of Lady Bird and President Lyndon Johnson, and Tyson Tuttle, Silicon Labs CEO, the Moving Forward campaign has had tremendous momentum and success. We wish to give special thanks to the entire Moving Forward Campaign Committee:

  • Laura Beckworth
  • Denise Davis
  • Sherrie Frachtman
  • Brian Greig
  • Michael Klein
  • Chris Mattsson
  • Milam Newby
  • Nona Niland
  • Sergio Rodriguez
  • Evan Smith
  • Claire and Carl Stuart
  • Trisa Thompson
  • Craig Watkins
  • Tomi Winstead
  • Amy Wong Mok
  • Mary Garwood Yancy
  • Howard Yancy
A collage of PBS and Austin PBS productions, Sesame Street, PBS Newshour, Austin City Limits, an Austin PBS Ready to Learn Workshop, Decibel, and Arts In Context.

Gift Options

Austin PBS's success in expanding our reach and relevance depends on the generous support of our community.

Gifts to Moving Forward reflect our community’s belief that public media matters today and for future generations to come.

A rendering of the donor wall, upon which are the names of donors and words of thanks.

Donors contributing gifts of $5,000 or more to the Campaign will be recognized on a permanent Donor Wall, prominently displayed in the expansive three-story Austin Media Center Atrium.

For those wishing to honor someone or create a lasting legacy, leadership gifts over $50,000 will be included on the Donor Wall, as well as another designated space. For a comprehensive listing of giving and naming opportunities, please contact us.

Your generous contribution will not only support our new home but first-of-their kind public media initiatives and collaborations that will serve as a centerpiece for the over 20 Central Texas communities and close to 3 million viewers we serve. Will you help us Move Forward?

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