Home / Arts and Entertainment / Bob Ross' Paintings to Auction, Funding Public TV Stations
Bob Ross' Paintings to Auction, Funding Public TV Stations
8 Oct
Summary
- Congress cuts $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding
- 30 of Bob Ross' paintings to be auctioned by Bonhams
- Proceeds will support public TV stations across the U.S.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Congress made the decision to cut $1.1 billion in funding reserved for public broadcasting. This left hundreds of PBS and NPR stations without critical funding, prompting local stations to start fundraising campaigns and some to let go of employees.
In response to this funding crisis, the Bob Ross Inc. organization has announced that 30 of the late artist's paintings will be auctioned off by Bonhams, an international auction house. The first two of Ross' works will be sold in Los Angeles on November 11th, with all net proceeds going directly to public television stations across the country.
"Bob Ross dedicated his life to making art accessible to everyone through public television," said Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc. "This auction ensures his legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades."
The goal is to help offset individual station licensing fees, ensuring viewers can continue to watch classic educational programming like America's Test Kitchen, Julia Child's French Chef Classics, and Ross' own The Best of the Joy of Painting. Supporters of public television hope that Ross' scenic paintings and egalitarian approach to art will bring much-needed funds to local programming.
