JOHNSTON, IOWA (January 5, 2021) — Iowa PBS encourages you to be a part of PBS American Portrait, a national storytelling project which invites individuals to participate in a conversation about what it really means to be an American today. A digital-first initiative, PBS American Portrait begins as a platform for people to share photos, videos, and text submissions to capture the state and spirit of our nation.
Participants are welcome to tell their own stories by responding to one of a number of thought-provoking prompts with a short video. Prompts include: "I was raised to believe...," "The tradition I carry on is...," "My American story started when..." and "When I step outside my door...," among others. Submissions may be included on PBS American Portrait platforms, including featured collections, PBS American Portrait social media, Iowa PBS social media or the localized Iowa documentary, Story of Us, slated for release in March 2021. For more information and to submit your response, visit iowapbs.org/americanportrait.
"This initiative is a chance for Iowans to give us a glimpse into their lives, an opportunity to be heard, and a chance for us all to see what it really means to be American today," said Iowa PBS Executive Director and General Manager Molly Phillips. "PBS American Portrait would not be complete without including Iowans' voices."
A special storytelling workshop will be held virtually as part of this initiative on February, 2 6-7:30PM. If you would like help crafting your story from storytellers from across the state, register for this free event at iowapbs.org/americanportrait.
New episodes of PBS American Portrait will air in January on statewide Iowa PBS on Tuesday nights at 8PM. I Dream airs January 5; I Work airs January 12; I Keep airs January 19; and I Rise airs January 26. Visit iowapbs.org/schedule for more information.
As Iowa's only statewide television network, Iowa PBS's mission to educate, inform, enrich, and inspire Iowans guides its quality, non-commercial programming that tells Iowa's stories like no one else can. Four statewide, public channels offer programs of lasting value to Iowans, regardless of where they live or what they can afford: Iowa PBS .1, Iowa PBS KIDS .2, Iowa PBS WORLD .3 and Iowa PBS Create .4 on Channel 11, Des Moines; Channel 12, Iowa City; Channel 21, Fort Dodge; Channel 24, Mason City; Channel 27, Sioux City; Channel 32, Waterloo; Channel 32, Council Bluffs; Channel 36, Davenport; and Channel 36, Red Oak. More information can be found at iowapbs.org.
