Wqed Multimedia

“The business, operations, and finance committee of the board is given a copy of the return to review. A quorom of the committee discusses and approves the return in a conference call or meeting. Subsequent to approval by the business, operations and finance committee all members of the board are sent a copy of the final 990 before it is filed.”

“Every year each board member is required to complete a new conflicts questionnaire which addresses all the points in the conflict of interest policy.”

“Wqed multimedia is a public tv and radio operator of which there is a larger network; therefore based on the type and demographics, there is comparable compensation available on an ongoing basis. Every three or four years, or as deemed necessary, an independent salary consultant does a survey to make sure that compensation is within the market range of comparable organizations. The executive committee of the board approves the executive compensation annually for the organization and also approves a sum of money that can be used for general staff raises if applicable. Compensation amounts for general staff are agreed upon by department heads and human resources using the findings of the independent consultant and comparable data for similar oranizations as a guideline. All compensation amounts are based on market rates and are determined to be reasonable.”

“The organization's governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon written request.”

“Local community outreach ready to learn supports early childhood learning thanks to a grant from cpb, wqed was able to expand school readiness projects in the community with support from pbs. Wqed is one of 21 public television stations across the country to receive funding as part of the cpb-pbs ready to learn (rtl) initiative. With millions of children lacking the basic early math and literacy skills to succeed in school, cpb and pbs have joined forces through ready to learn, a project funded by the u.s. Department of education and congress, to address this critical school readiness issue, particularly in low-income communities. The rtl initiative uses multiplatform media and other learning tools including television programs, interactive games, mobile apps, as well as hands-on activities to engage and strengthen early learning experiences for children ages 2-8 at home, in preschool, and in other out-of-school settings. Wqed is collaborating with local educational partners who serve children in school, after school, and throughout the summer. It also provides training to local educators on how to use rtl multiplatform content, and to parents on how to engage their children in math and literacy activities at home. This initiative is out in the field to extend services to more low-income communities, children, teachers, and families. Iq: smartparent iq: smartparent is a key component of wqed's iq: smartmedia education initiative. The following describes iq: smartparent activities during 2014: episodes/content six new episodes of iq: smartparent were produced, with high-quality content and nationally recognized guests. These include: - "apps, gaps, and the digital divide" aired on february 20, 2014 and addressed socioeconomic and learning divides in the digital world. - "aiding autism" aired on april 24, 2014 in recognition of autism awareness month. The episode explored how digital devices can help children with autism and other special needs. - "idad" aired on june 12, 2014 and celebrated fatherhood with media-savvy dads and their innovative projects for kids. - "digital badging" aired on november 13, 2014. Digital badging provides an opportunity for learners of all ages to acquire skills and credentials in a variety of settings both within and outside of the classroom. This episode shares ways that digital badges are being used by parents, students, teachers, and in the workplace - "flipped learning" aired on november 13, 2014. Educators are finding innovative ways to modernize learning spaces and incorporate technology into their teaching practices. This episode explores the flipped learning approach and what parents need to know about re-designed classrooms. - "healthy media habits" aired on january 15, 2015. This episode discussed healthy media habits for children and families. Each episode of iq: smartparent is accompanied by 10-20 minutes of web-only bonus content, which contains additional discussion with experts and audience questions. Pbs kids writers contest more than 800 area students in kindergarten and grades one, two and three submitted stories to wqed's contest this year. Over the past five years, more than 7,000 stories have been received from regional students for the contest. The contest was designed to promote the advancement of children's literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. Nikolai and connor were chosen as winners from thousands of submissions from 62 participating pbs stations across the country. The pbs kids writers contest is designed to promote the advancement of children's literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. Partnering with wqed this year were penn state public broadcasting (wpsu) which serves central pennsylvania, west virginia public broadcasting (wvpb) and for the first time, witf, which serves the harrisburg and central pennsylvania region. Wqed at the three rivers arts festival wqed iq: smartmedia was once again at the three rivers arts festival in june at the giant”

“(continued) design lives here promoted learning about engineering via interactive teaching, mentoring, and challenge activities inspired by the popular pbs kids program, design squad nation. The culminating event was held in april and was an energetic day at inventionland to compete in engineering challenges and to showcase invention design ideas. This is an innovative partnership between wqed and inventionland, with major underwriting by the engineers' society of western pennsylvania and additional support from mine safety appliances and lanxess. In a new collaboration between wqed and neighborhood libraries, staff took pbs resources into the community over the summer. The goal is to help kids between ages 3 and 11 explore new reading, math, and technology skills to help battle the "summer slump". Activities included screenings, reading programs, and app-a-thons at peter's township library, northern tier library, northland library and plum library throughout july and august. Listeners of iq kids radio in july heard exclusive reports from the iq kids radio corps, who called in stories from the field, sent reports about what was happening in their neighborhoods, and wrote weekly blog posts. The featured artist on iq kids radio this summer was recess monkey. Super why! And wqed hosted a fun-filled story time at pottery barn kids at the galleria of mt. Lebanon in july. Wqed and the carnegie museum of natural history teamed up to help celebrate dippy the dinosaur's 115th birthday in july. Visitors were able to examine 155 million-year-old rocks from the fossil bed where dippy was unearthed and see real dinosaur bones. The arts education partnership (aep) was in pittsburgh for its 2014 national forum on arts and education: preparing students for the next america in and through the arts in september. Some of the nation's most influential leaders convened in the city to explore arts-centered solutions as states and school districts across the country implement higher learning expectations aimed at ensuring america's young people leave high school ready for college, careers, and citizenship. Wqed was at the conference to preview august wilson: the ground on which i stand and the ways that art educators in formal and informal environments can leverage this new american masters documentary throughout the 2014-2015 school year. Portrayal & perception: african american men & boys is a series of ten television programs produced by wqed showcasing positive media profiles of successful african american men. Sponsored by the heinz endowments, this series strives to inspire conversation, elevate portrayal, and clarify perceptions of african american men and boys in the community. The education department released a series of study guides, one for each episode, that provide further information, discussion questions, and resources for students or groups to further explore the topics highlighted in each episode. Dominion volunteer in the arts (vita) awards dominion foundation and wqed have worked in a joint partnership since 1988 to present the vita awards, which annually honors dedicated individuals who have given their time and talents to ensure that the arts thrive throughout southwestern pennsylvania. Vita awards winners are honored at an annual luncheon and presented with a grant of $2,500 for the arts organization where they volunteer their time. The awards are funded by an annual grant from the dominion foundation. The dominion foundation is primarily dedicated to improving the economic, physical and social health of the communities where dominion has customers, facilities or assets. Dominion and the dominion foundation contribute nearly $20 million annually to nonprofit organizations. Musical kids musical kids is a classical music competition for middle school students in grades six to eight. This year's winners hail from a variety of educational backgrounds and locations in the tri-state area. A special program hosted by wqed-fm's jim cu”

“(continued) pbs programming when issues of national and international significance are addressed by pbs, wqed offers local tie-ins, giving broad perspectives on pertinent issues while addressing how these particular issues impact pittsburgh. Pbs programming airing on wqed in 2014 included downton abbey, antiques roadshow, frontline, independent lens and nova. The address and the roosevelts, both ken burns productions, also aired on wqed during the grant year. The address was presented at a free preview screening by wqed at soldiers and sailors memorial hall. Additionally, wqed remained the only source in the region featuring pbs programming and assets, including children's programs sesame street, martha speaks, wild kratts, curious george, daniel tiger's neighborhood, peg + cat, and odd squad. August wilson: the ground on which i stand. After years of proposals, research, community involvement, partnerships, production and post-production, wqed's co-production with american masters, august wilson: the ground on which i stand, is ready for national airing on february 20 at 9pm. Staff, producers and consultants worked tirelessly on production and post-production of the documentary. This is a significant milestone for wqed and for pittsburgh, as the city was his hometown and the inspiration for the "pittsburgh cycle" of plays. Further, wqed is leading a nationwide educational initiative for schools that brings august wilson's work to life and involves students in the playwriting process itself, offering a chance to introduce a whole new generation to august wilson and to the history of the african american experience in pittsburgh and around the country. Wqed produced and broadcast its regular lineup of local programs: 4802, conversation@wqed, filmmakers corner, horizons and pittsburgh 360 degrees in 2014. 4802 4802 continued its discussion format with chris moore as host/moderator and a panel of four lively guest journalists discussing news events of the week. Regular panelists were lynn cullen, valerie mcdonald roberts, bill green and heather heidelbaugh. Topics ran the gamut, and included (but were not limited to) news about the penguins organization; parking in downtown pittsburgh; marriage equality; voter identification laws; the august wilson center; the jordan miles case; local, state and national government elections and uses of medical marijuana. Conversation@wqed conversation@wqed, hosted by michael bartley, continued with programs on topical issues with guests including athletes, community leaders, entertainers and newsmakers. Conversation@wqed also made viewers active participants in the conversation via wqed interactive and social media. (twitter and facebook). Among the guests featured this season were: - dawn keezer, director of the pittsburgh film office - carolyn byham, george murphy, and marty merkly of the chautauqua institution - pat harrison, president and ceo of the corporation for public broadcasting - dan mccoy, gold medal winning paralympic athlete - henry deluca, local oldies music promoter and creator of the "roots of rock and roll" concert series - david conrad, star of film and television shows including wedding crashers and ghost whisperer - allegheny county district attorney stephen zappala and deputy district attorney tom swan - esther bush, urban league of greater pittsburgh president filmmakers corner filmmakers corner continued for a fifth season, providing an hour-long showcase of independent films by local producers. Each week, host/producer minette seate showcased a new independent film through interviews with the producers and background on each documentary. Nine episodes of filmmakers corner were produced and broadcast. They were: "enter to learn, go forth to serve" "enter to learn, go forth to serve" is a documentary made by and starring former students of schenley high school, one of the city's beloved high schools, which was closed by the school district in 2011. Host minette seate was j”

“(continued) pittsburgh 360 degrees: pittsburgh 360 degrees offered a full circle look at the region and the stories capturing pittsburgh as a community. With tonia caruso and michael bartley as hosts, pittsburgh 360 degrees featured arts and entertainment, education, ethnic customs, challenges and celebrations, health, technology and civic issues while creating an interactive dialogue with viewers via social media. This year, pittsburgh 360 degrees covered: - heritage community initiatives in the mon valley - history of the pittsburgh public schools - 31st street studios in the strip district - hollywood star carole lombard, her fairytale life and tragic death as told by pittsburgh author robert matzen - pittsburgh's inaugural rock & roll hall of fame inductee, rich engler. - gateway to the arts and the ways that arts are used to help students learn stem. - women's history month, with a focus on three women: dr. Zipora "tsipy" gur, founder and executive director of classrooms without borders; florence shutsy reynolds, one of the first women pilots to fly in world war ii as a women air force service pilot or wasp and patricia prattis jennings, the first african-american fefemale member of the pittsburgh symphony orchestra. Program content in other languages wqed re-broadcast a program in spanish and english in 2014. Hosted by chris moore, this special episode of horizons was produced in 2011 and concentrated on health issues in pittsburgh's latino community. Contributor cindy fernandez spoke with local doctors and leaders of outreach organizations working to make care more affordable and available to men, women, and children in the latino community. Because one of the biggest obstacles to obtaining health care in this community is the language barrier, this episode was broadcast in both english and spanish. Community outreach wqed's plans the following community outreach activities in the coming year: - august wilson education project in conjunction with the american master production of august wilson: the ground on which i stand, wqed (co-producer of the documentary) will launch the "11th play competition" for high school students. Wqed is inviting high school educators and their students to attend an informational kick-off event for the contest and is excited to bring wilson's work into classrooms nationwide to help students develop their unique voice by exploring relevant topics like community, identity, diversity, activism, self-reliance, and resilience." part of the august wilson education project, the 11th play competition which opens on january 12 is asking regional teens to learn about wilson's life and work and to enter the competition and write a play from the first decade of the 21st century (2000-2010) from his/her perspective about their community just like wilson. - core pbs programming through wqed's schedule of 70 hours of children's programming weekly that reaches 234,000, or 82% of kids in the region from birth through eight years old. - early literacy through the pbs writers contest, which attracted 920 entries from three states this year. - digital fluency through teacher training. This year, wqed trained 1,697, including 700 at the pennsylvania early childhood summit. To date, 4,271 teachers and 128,130 students have been impacted. - science, technology, engineering and math (stem): science scigirls launched in october and four additional parent nights on girls and stem are planned. - stem: engineering design lives here 1,750 students impacted in five years. Program is in eight schools utilizing 26 educators, 20 engineer-mentors and 10 engineer-inventors. - stem: technology game on! Launched in january 2012 and 76 kids from six countries attended the 2013game on! Workshop. - digital fluency through iq: smartparent launched in august 2012 and the first two seasons have been completed with season three production underway. The series is being distributed through american public television (apt) to stations na”

“The organization did not change either its oversight process or selection process during the tax year.”