Discover Arts & Music Programs
We bet your childhood had a lot of music, from Sesame Street to Reading Rainbow, and maybe you even learned to draw with The Secret City. If you've still got music in your soul and an appreciation for the arts overall, we've got great programs to entice you today. Episodes of the programs below can mostly be discovered via the PBS app or pbs.org, with new episodes of many airing regularly; shows created locally by Iowa PBS are also available on YouTube and our website.
Studio 3 LIVE
Local, regional and national artists take the stage to perform original sets and share their musical journeys. Learn about these incredible bands and what drives them to make music in our new music series hosted by Mickey Davis. The first season of Studio 3 LIVE is available on the PBS app, pbs.org and iowapbs.org.
My Music With Rhiannon Giddens
Grammy winner and MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Rhiannon Giddens hosts a new half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with outstanding guest artists—innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices. The first two seasons of this new program are available to stream on the PBS app and pbs.org.
Meredith Willson: America’s Music Man
He performed under Sousa and Toscanini. He scored films for the likes of Chaplin and wrote popular songs performed by Sinatra and The Beatles. And when the River City boys band marched on Broadway, Meredith Willson caught the whole world’s ear. Watch this local documentary on Iowan Meredith Willson on the PBS app, pbs.org and iowapbs.org.
Gospel
Gospel, the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song. This four-part series is available for streaming on the PBS app and pbs.org.
Austin City Limits
Great music. No limits. Now the longest-running music series in American television history, ACL showcases popular music legends and innovators from every genre. In addition to being honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum as a rock and roll landmark, ACL is the only television program to ever receive the National Medal of Arts, the nation's highest award for artistic excellence. Watch a number of seasons from the 50-year history of Austin City Limits on the PBS app and pbs.org.
Great Performances
Great Performances brings the best in the performing arts from across America and around the world to a US television audience. It presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama and performance documentaries. Watch recent seasons on the PBS app and pbs.org.
The Film Lounge
Celebrate the work of Iowa filmmakers, become acquainted with the region’s vibrant film communities and explore film as an art form in this series featuring short form documentaries and experimental, narrative and animated films. Watch eight seasons of this local series on YouTube, the PBS app, pbs.org and iowapbs.org.
Independent Lens
Independent filmmakers from across the country are showcased on this award winning series. These films transport you into the lives and stories of people from every walk of life. Watch a number of seasons on the PBS app and pbs.org.
POV
Since 1988, POV has presented over 500 films to public television audiences across the country. POV films are known for their intimacy, their unforgettable storytelling and their timeliness, putting a human face on contemporary social issues. Dozens of independent films are available via POV on the PBS app and pbs.org.