KCET Launches 'Artbound,' A New Innovative Transmedia Series May 7
KCET
LAUNCHES 'ARTBOUND,' A NEW INNOVATIVE TRANSMEDIA SERIES SHOWCASING THE ARTS AND
CULTURE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MAY 7
Artbound features columns written by over 20 experienced Arts contributors spanning
SoCal's 11 counties, a host of web-original video segments and four original
half-hour television episodes
Burbank,
CA - May 7, 2012 - KCET, the nation's largest independent television station
serving Southern and Central California, announces the launch of Artbound, a transmedia cultural journalism initiative exploring Southern
California's dynamic cultural landscape. Launching May
7, 2012, the series will become an essential destination for in-depth arts
analysis and commentary,
With columns penned by more than 20 experienced artistic advisors,
cultural critics, curators and journalists, this unique multi-platform project
offers diverse viewpoints on the artistic climate of SoCal's 11
counties--identifying trends, movements and expressions in a variety of
creative disciplines. A cross-section of
these expert voices include, music and cultural critic Oliver Wang, artist and
professor Ruben Ortiz Torres, LA Times art critic Sharon Mizota, Santa Barbara
Independent arts editor Charles Donelan, host of DNA and LA Editor of DWELL
magazine, Frances Anderton among many
others.
These long-form, multimedia articles will be rated by readers and
vetted by the Artbound editorial
team; highly compelling stories will be produced in a short format video
documentary and featured online. Artbound's
audience will have the opportunity to share, discuss and comment on the films.
Shortly thereafter, four original 30-minute TV episodes will be produced culled
from the content and social activity online.
The series will also boast a number of special projects created in
collaboration with artists and organizations, as well as and a line-up of
cultural partnerships with institutions including BOOM magazine, 18th Street Art Center among others.
"We are very excited to produce ARTBOUND for KCET and the
community, and provide numerous entry points for our audience to experience the
vast cultural landscape of our region. Southern California is a polyglot
cultural and artistic area with international reach," says Juan Devis, KCET's
Director of Production and Program Development and executive producer for the
series. "It takes an innovative initiative such as this one to capture the many
voices and ideas that make Southern California one of the most exciting places
for the arts in the world today."
Seasoned multimedia journalist, Drew Tewksbury will serve as Artbound's managing editor and producer.
His diverse media background includes a stint as a live show producer for NPR's
News and Note's show, a music
columnist for L.A. Weekly's 'West Coast
Sound,' and senior writer/contributing editor for Flaunt Magazine.
The Artbound project is funded by the Los Angeles County Arts
Commission and the Department of Cultural Affairs City Of Los Angeles. Viewers on the go can connect with Artbound
on Facebook (facebook.com/KCETartbound) and Twitter (@kcetartbound).
Artbound is
latest initiative in KCET's on-going dedication to showcase the Southern
California Arts and culture scene, among which includes Open Call hosted by opera sensation Susanna Guzman, Live @ the Ford featuring performances
from the historic Ford Theatre and Fine
Cut showcasing the best in student film.
In March, KCET also presented a special week of 'Music Makers' on LA Tonight with Roy Firestone, featuring
compelling interviews with music legends Burt Bacharach, Chris Botti, David
Foster, Steve Tyrell and Diane Warren.
ABOUT ARTBOUND
Artbound is a Southern and Central California cultural journalism
project produced by KCET dedicated to producing an online destination about the
arts and culture of our region. Columns are penned by more than 20 experienced
artistic advisors, cultural critics, curators and definitive tastemakers of the
arts. This unique trans-media
multi-platform initiative explores the arts in 11 counties using a participatory
methodology in which visitor and fan engagement propel popular columns to the
next platform of production; first as in depth short form video documentaries;
and based on the volume and quality of user comments, a 30-minute episode for
television.
ABOUT KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in
the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California.
KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the
finest public television programs from around the world. KCET currently
produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning SoCal
Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television news program that
examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout its 48-year
history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news
and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions,
its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and
community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported
community institution. For additional information about KCET productions,
web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit
kcet.org.
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