The WQED Tent
4 June 2010 by Emily in Activities
If you’re a native Pittsburgher, odds are you grew up watching high-quality kid-friendly shows on WQED. Perhaps you’re an avid listener of the superb broadcasting from WQED-fm 89.3. Or maybe you’re one of those folks who can’t wait to read Pittsburgh Magazine from cover to cover each month. Whatever the case, it’s not surprising to learn how much people enjoy and appreciate these offerings – and they have done so for years.
But it’s so not just about the media. WQED is much, much more than that. It is a champion for early learning, an ardent supporter of local businesses and business people and an advocate for all things cultural, especially the world-class offerings here in Pittsburgh.
Just like one of its biggest celebrities, WQED is a great neighbor within the community. Part of that neighborly love is shared each year during Three Rivers Arts Festival.
WQED will once again have a significant presence through its kids-focused tent at Point State Park. An array of children’s programming will be running from 12-6 pm over both weekends of the Festival. Sometimes, it’s a magic show that encourages a little hands-on abracadabra, at other times, it’s a workshop on Caribbean steelpan or African drums. And I’ll bet you know at least one little fan of PBS Kids superstars Mr. Steve and Miss Rosa, who will be appearing on stage.
I spoke to Deborah Acklin, Chief Operating Officer of WQED Multimedia, about the connection between these two Pittsburgh staples to see how and why they are so important to each other.
“Three Rivers Arts Festival is a lot like WQED and vice versa,” says Acklin. “Each one showcases the best of the community, and we should celebrate that connection.” Acklin points out that these two “free to the public” entities share a common trait in that they are supported by those who can for the benefit of all. It is not uncommon for Pittsburghers to give when it counts the most.
Over the years it has been evident that education happens everywhere, not just in the classroom. “The Festival allows us to pull kids in with the highly entertaining PBS block and then continue to educate them about core ideas such as literacy, science, math, building character and teaching values to name a few. We want to put these elements in front of children as much as possible.”
“The Festival is where WQED needs to be. We want to have that personal touch, because we are more than just the electronic aspects of television and radio.”
When I asked Acklin about what kids can potentially take away from the programming in the WQED tent, she first brought up the research being conducted at the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. What they have found is that the very best learning happens when it can be associated with a familiar character. This means that there can be an even stronger influence on learning abilities when a character like Mr. Steve or Miss Rosa is involved.
“Bringing in these two beloved PBS stars will help kids to better realize that learning is exciting and life is fun,” she says. “That’s the value of WQED.” Kids will know they are important because these characters have come to see them in person, instead of just appearing on the television.
WQED has a long association with the Festival. “We really believe in it. And when we believe in something, particularly when it highlights the cultural and the educational, we are going to share it with our own audience.”
Acklin has noticed that other arts festivals don’t always have much of a kid focus, and if there is, the area dedicated to children is small. With the prominent location at Point State Park and the use of the large tent, kids really take center stage at Three Rivers Arts Festival, thanks to WQED. Acklin believes this year will be richer than ever.
“Our hope is that every time a parent steps into the WQED tent with his or her child, something fun is happening. There is so much going on, it can seem like you’re at a different festival each day. We encourage people to come back often.”
To see just how much fun is happening, check out the WQED Tent listings, or simply pop into the tent between 12 and 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.