Yellowstone Times

Montana State University will host a groundbreaking event on April 29 for the planned expansion of Montana PBS. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. at the MSU Visual Communications Building located at South 11th Avenue and Grant Street. This project will increase the building's size by over 32,000 square feet, which currently serves as the home for Montana PBS and MSU’s School of Film and Photography.

According to Aaron Pruitt, director and general manager of Montana PBS, the expanded facility will be "both an advanced technological production facility and an inspiring, collaborative hub for students." The expansion includes a shared lobby, and new technological and production spaces such as a large TV studio, production control rooms, and a green screen studio. It will also feature the new Joseph S. Sample classroom and studio, which will adapt to a variety of uses including screenings, lectures, and televised productions.

MSU President Waded Cruzado emphasized the importance of Montana PBS, saying that it "has been a cornerstone of the MSU community and a fixture in Montana life for four decades." This expansion, Cruzado noted, "will make it possible for Montana PBS to do even more to serve the families and communities in Montana."

The project has reached a significant fundraising milestone with a recent $5 million donation, raising nearly $32 million as part of the Building Possibilities campaign, although additional funds might be required. Kristina Martin, director of development for Montana PBS, acknowledged Cruzado's support during the campaign that began in 2019. Speaking about the broader impact of Montana PBS, Nikki Vradenburg, director of education, highlighted the expansion’s contribution to furthering education and outreach efforts.

The expansion is also set to enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students, who already play a critical role in live TV production at MSU. The project anticipates allocating approximately $29.5 million to construction and $2 million for upgraded technology aimed at bolstering content production. Montana PBS programs have received national acclaim, including “11th & Grant with Eric Funk” and various documentaries.

The Building Possibilities campaign has drawn support from a variety of donors, including Patt and Terry Payne, the Kendeda Fund, Jim and Chris Scott, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and others. Reflecting on the organization’s history, co-founder Nancy Flikkema expressed pride in its growth, recalling how a grassroots initiative aimed for her kids to watch “Sesame Street” evolved into Montana PBS.

Montana PBS, marking its 40th anniversary, began as KUSM-TV at MSU and merged with KUFM-TV from the University of Montana in 1997, creating a statewide network that now airs five channels to over 275,000 viewers weekly.

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