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WCNY’s Entertainment Academy to Host Graduation Ceremony for Winter Session Trainees

Published - April 17, 2024

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is honored to host a graduation ceremony for the winter session of WCNY’s Entertainment Academy on Friday, April 19 at 4 p.m. at the WCNY-TV Studios. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the 18 graduates from the second class of the Academy. WCNY’s Entertainment Academy provides training for the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York. The program also creates a pathway for job placements through local unions, including I.A.T.S.E. Local

WCNY’s ‘Ivory Tower’ Hits the Road on April 17 to Visit Colgate University

Published - April 15, 2024

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is thrilled to announce that Central New York’s favorite public affairs program, “Ivory Tower,” will be visiting Colgate University to record a live-to-tape show at the Colgate Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.). Hosted by David Chanatry, the hour-long live-to-tape episode will showcase “Ivory Tower” panelists Anirban Acharya, Ben Baughman, Nina Moore, Tara Ross, Ty Seidule, and Chad Sparber engaging in discussions on pertinent current events and local issues. Barbara Fought will moderate questions from the live audience. The episode will air on WCNY-TV on

WCNY’s ‘Ivory Tower’ Hits the Road on April 10 to Visit Utica University

Published - April 3, 2024

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is thrilled to announce that Central New York’s favorite public affairs program, “Ivory Tower,” will be visiting Utica University to record a live-to-tape show in the Strebel Student Center Auditorium on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. Hosted by David Chanatry, the hour-long live-to-tape episode will showcase “Ivory Tower” panelists Luke Perry, Rick Fenner, Nina Moore, Anirban Acharya, Sarah Pralle, and Ben Baughman engaging in discussions on pertinent current events and local issues. Barbara Fought will moderate questions from the live audience. The episode will air on WCNY-TV on Friday, April 12 at

‘Spatchcock Funk’ – Dope Food, Strong Drinks, Great Stories Premieres March 26 on WCNY-TV

Published - March 13, 2024

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is thrilled to announce that a new cooking show is coming to WCNY-TV, premiering March 26 at 9 p.m. “Spatchcock Funk,” is a fun, no-holds-barred cooking show making its debut on WCNY-TV, streaming services, and across PBS television stations. Hosted by Matt Read, the show covers everything from easy-to-follow recipes for delicious food and killer cocktails to how to throw the perfect party. “WCNY is excited to introduce this cutting-edge and entertaining cooking show to the PBS family of great cooking shows,” said Mitch Gelman, president and CEO of WCNY. “Created and crafted

WCNY’s ‘Ivory Tower’ Hits the Road to Visit College Campuses this Spring

Published - February 27, 2024

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is thrilled to announce that Central New York’s favorite public affairs program, “Ivory Tower,” will be visiting college campuses this spring to record live-to-tape shows, which will be open to students and the public. Hosted by David Chanatry, these hour-long live-to-tape episodes will showcase six panelists engaging in discussions on pertinent current events and local issues. Barbara Fought will moderate questions from the live audience. Each episode will air on WCNY-TV the following Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. “Ivory Tower’ is going on the road to give fans the

WCNY’s Entertainment Academy Opens Applications for Spring Session

Published - February 26, 2024

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is excited to announce that applications are now open for the spring session of WCNY’s Entertainment Academy, with classes scheduled to start on May 2. Three times a year, WCNY’s Entertainment Academy offers a fourteen-week training program in the TV and film production trades. The Academy provides training for the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York. The program also creates a pathway for job placements through local unions, including I.A.T.S.E. Local 52

WCNY’s “Feminine Fusion” Awarded National Endowment for the Arts Grant

Published - January 24, 2024

The National Endowment for the Arts announced today that it awarded WCNY’s “Feminine Fusion” a grant to support the locally produced, nationally distributed weekly radio show hosted by Central New York composer and musician Diane Jones. Created and broadcast from WCNY’s Syracuse studios and currently enjoying its eighth season, “Feminine Fusion” highlights the role of remarkable women in classical music. An inspirational and educational program, “Feminine Fusion” aims to broaden the influence of the arts by highlighting generally underrecognized conductors, composers, and musicians. “We are truly honored to receive the NEA’s Challenge Grant,” said Mitch Gelman, President and CEO of

The WCNY Entertainment Academy to Host Inaugural Graduation Ceremony

Published - December 18, 2023

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is honored to host the inaugural graduation ceremony for the WCNY Entertainment Academy on Thursday, December 21 at 4 p.m. at the WCNY-TV Studios. Please join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the 14 graduates from the first class of the Academy. The WCNY Entertainment Academy provides training for the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York. The program also creates a pathway for job placements through local unions, including I.A.T.S.E. Local 52

WCNY’s Entertainment Academy Trainees to Attend Anton/Bauer’s First Salt-E Dog Demo in New York State

Published - October 20, 2023

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, announces that its Entertainment Academy trainees will attend Anton/Bauer’s first New York State demonstration of its new Sodium-Nickel 9kWh battery pack, the Salt-E Dog. The event will take place on Saturday, October 21, from 12-4 p.m. at Tipp Hill Studios. Anton/Bauer, a prominent manufacturer of standard batteries for the Television and Film Industry, will introduce its latest innovation, the Salt-E Dog. This cutting-edge Sodium-Nickel battery boasts an impressive 9-Kilowatt hours of charge capacity. Unlike traditional lithium batteries, the Salt-E Dog relies on sodium, offering both environmental safety and ease of resource cultivation. It

WCNY’s ‘On the Money’ Explores Buffalo Bills’ Running Back Latavius Murray’s Jon Diaz Community Center in CNY

Published - September 26, 2023

In this week’s installment of WCNY’s “On the Money,” host J. Daniel Pluff sits down with Buffalo Bills’ running back Latavius Murray to explore his journey and the founding of The Jon Diaz Community Center. Murray, a CNY native, has set out to create a $5+ million community center named in honor of his deceased friend, Jon Diaz. The center has received funding from Onondaga County and hopes to receive state and federal funding as well. The John Diaz Community Center aims to provide an outlet and opportunity for kids to get them out of the house, in front of

Chef Mary Ann Esposito of “Ciao Italia” to Headline WCNY’s 9th Annual Taste of Fame Event October 13 at Drumlins Country Club

Published - July 11, 2023

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, will host its 9th annual Taste of Fame culinary fundraiser with Chef Mary Ann Esposito, award-winning celebrity chef, cookbook author, and creator and host of “Ciao Italia” on PBS. The event will be held at Drumlins Country Club (800 Nottingham Rd, Syracuse), Friday, October 13. Guests will enjoy a three-course culinary dinner journey with recipes crafted by Mary Ann, and stories to accompany each course. The event kicks off with cocktail hour and a silent auction at 6 p.m., with the three-course dinner following at 7 p.m. The VIP ticket includes all the

Empire State Development Awards WCNY with Funding to Support Workforce Development Efforts in the Film Industry

Published - June 29, 2023

Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program Supports Efforts to Train a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce for the Motion Picture and Television Industry in New York State Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that WCNY, located in Syracuse, Onondaga County, has been awarded $499,766 from the State’s Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program for its new WCNY Entertainment Academy. The Academy will train the next generation of television and film production engineers, electricians, set designers, sound mixers, and camera operators to help support the growing entertainment industry in Central New York. The award comes from the first-in-the-nation New York Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant

WCNY Explores the Police Athletic League and its Work in the Community in New Documentary

Published - May 21, 2023

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, will premiere its locally produced documentary “Inspiring Youth: The Syracuse Police Athletic League” on Monday, May 22 at 8 p.m. on WCNY-TV. “Inspiring Youth: The Syracuse Police Athletic League” is a captivating new documentary that highlights the transformative connection between the Syracuse Police Department and local children in the area. By engaging in activities that promote personal growth, self-confidence, and teamwork, the Syracuse PAL has become a catalyst for positive change in the lives of countless young individuals. This series celebrates the profound impact that sports, notable speakers, mentors, and more have on

WCNY Awarded ‘American Graduate: Jobs Explained’ Grant to Create Digital Videos Connecting Youth to Careers

Published - May 16, 2023

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, is one of 10 public media stations nationwide selected to create digital career-focused videos to help connect young people with potential careers in the next chapter of the American Graduate public media initiative – “American Graduate: Jobs Explained.” Led by The WNET Group and funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), “American Graduate: Jobs Explained” focuses on digital content developed by, with and for youth, and shared on social media platforms to help young people stay inspired, commit to continued education and training, and explore potential careers.

‘Behind the Woman’ Season 4 Premieres May 16 on WCNY-TV

Published - May 11, 2023

WCNY, Central New York’s public communications organization, will premiere season 4 of its television series, “Behind the Woman” on Tuesday, May 16 at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV. This 13-part series shares the personal stories of diverse women leaders across Central New York, in order to empower other women to pursue their goals and dreams. For the fourth season of “Behind the Woman,” we’ve searched across Central New York to find twenty diverse women who are improving their communities through their inspiring work. Host and show creator Dr. Juhanna Rogers sits down with each guest to learn more about the woman

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