PBS Arts
Celebrate the art, music, literature, and theatre that has shaped our culture.
From musical performances and artist biographies to art history documentaries and Bob Ross episodes, PBS Arts honors the work that brings communities together nationwide and represents diverse audiences with rich, educational programming featuring dance, music, theater, writing, and more.
From musical performances and artist biographies to art history documentaries and Bob Ross episodes, PBS Arts honors the work that brings communities together nationwide and represents diverse audiences with rich, educational programming featuring dance, music, theater, writing, and more.
Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes
An intimate portrait of the quiet genius who brought the upright bass into the spotlight.
Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes
Trailer
Can't-Miss Performances
The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra lifts spirits with music at The Kennedy Center.
Watch the latest from Great Performances
The world of classical performing arts is brought to the comfort of your living room.
Experience this powerful opera with a libretto by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.
Intimate Apparel
Explore Shakespeare’s love life in this ballet featuring music by Rhiannon Giddens.
Black Lucy and The Bard
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2022
Enjoy Vienna Philharmonic’s annual summer night concert at Austria’s Schönbrunn Palace.
Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2022
Great Performances: Merry Wives
Experience Shakespeare’s comedy from the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park.
Great Performances: Merry Wives
Explore the legacy of Maria Callas in this documentary detailing her return to the stage.
The Magic of Callas
The Public Theater's critically acclaimed production featuring Danielle Brooks as Beatrice
Much Ado About Nothing
Watch the latest from Austin City Limits
Innovative musicians from every genre perform live in the longest-running music series.
Olivia Rodrigo / Phoebe Bridgers
Enjoy fresh perspectives in song from Olivia Rodrigo and Phoebe Bridgers.
Olivia Rodrigo / Phoebe Bridgers
Mitski / Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Savor the experimental performances of Mitski and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
Mitski / Rainbow Kitten Surprise
Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Special 2014
Austin City Limits inducts and celebrates the first inaugural class of its Hall of Fame.
Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Special 2014
Providing Support for PBS.org
Watch the Best of Bob Ross
A pop icon, Bob Ross offers soothing words of wisdom as he paints captivating landscapes.
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Bob Ross paints reflections of a golden sun bursting into the day.
Golden Glow of Morning
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Bob Ross creates another unique masterpiece.
Little House by the Road
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Join Bob Ross and experience a breathtaking sunset amidst purple skies.
Sunset Aglow
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
This masterpiece is a beautiful example of a mood-filled seascape on black canvas.
Crimson Tide
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Bob Ross paints a small cabin under a majestic mountain range.
Triple View
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Bob Ross paints a west coast seascape on a black canvas.
Evening Seascape
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Join Bob Ross for this lovely oval creation.
Toward Day’s End
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Join Bob Ross on a windless day where mountain reflections shine in the lake below.
Mirrored Images
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
Enjoy the emergence of springtime blossoms on flowering trees.
Trace of Spring
Featured from American Masters
Discover insightful profiles of important figures in America's artistic and cultural life.
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
The first major film documentary of the life and art of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me
Rothko: Pictures Must Be Miraculous
Discover the art world giant whose color fields changed art history and now fetch millions
Rothko: Pictures Must Be Miraculous
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
A father of bebop, Charlie Parker influenced generations of musicians.
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
The first documentary about the legend behind much of the bold television of the '70s.
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Art History Documentaries
Explore the history of art and culture through these great shows and documentaries.
Spotlight on #PBSForTheArts
Join us as we celebrate the resiliency of the arts in America.
Learn More
Ed Massey's public art creations bring joy and vibrancy to the landscape of Los Angeles.
Off the Wall: Los Angeles
Denver's endangered murals by Chicano artists reveal a vital and overlooked history.
Off the Wall: Denver
Kensington finds community and hope through poetry and a new public art installation.
Off the Wall: Philadelphia
Immersive Art Inspiring Change
Contemporary art installations address social issues through an immersive experience.
Immersive Art Inspiring Change
A Brief History of the Countertenor
Opera star Anthony Roth Costanzo explains the history and appeal of the countertenor.
A Brief History of the Countertenor
Jazz vocalist Somi Kakoma celebrates the life and song of Miriam Makeba in a new musical.
Dreaming Zenzile
Indigenous Enterprise is exciting audiences with traditional dance and their unique style.
Indigenous Enterprise
Classical Music's Next Generation
A look into the careers of the next generation of classical musicians.
Classical Music's Next Generation
Blog
#PBSForTheArts Artist Spotlight
This month #PBSForTheArts celebrates the resiliency of the arts across America. Ten stations are presenting videos that highlight the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts in their communities.
Read More from the Blog
Watch the latest from It's Lit
It’s Lit! is a series of smart, funny video essays on literature and the literary world.
Toni Morrison’s Opus About Confronting a Terrible Past
To understand Beloved, we must first look at the author: Nobel Prize Winner Toni Morrison.
Toni Morrison’s Opus About Confronting a Terrible Past
Why Magical Realism is a Global Phenomenon
We explore the roots, tenets of the genre, and its rise in Latin American Literature.
Why Magical Realism is a Global Phenomenon
Why Edgar Allan Poe Isn't Just a Sad Boy
His legacy is more complicated than school books may have lead us to believe.
Why Edgar Allan Poe Isn't Just a Sad Boy
Why We Keep Retelling the Classics
Sometimes a story is just so dang good, it bears repeating.
Why We Keep Retelling the Classics
What We Don’t Know About The Father of Sci-Fi
There's more to H.G. Wells than we know or think.
What We Don’t Know About The Father of Sci-Fi
Why Do People Think Huck Finn Is Racist?
It is considered one of the great American novels and one of the most frequently banned.
Why Do People Think Huck Finn Is Racist?
Don’t Know Much About BEOWULF? Nobody Does!
We take a look at this Epic Poem and follow its long, winding journey.
Don’t Know Much About BEOWULF? Nobody Does!
Artist Biographies
Shows and documentaries that explore famous artists.
Spotlight on American Experience
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE brings to life the compelling stories from our past!
Learn More
Eugene O'Neill: Playwright and Nobel laureate
Pulitzer prize winner & Nobel laureate, Eugene O’Neill revolutionized the American stage.
Eugene O'Neill: Playwright and Nobel laureate
Bill Hanley made Woodstock sound system that forever shaped our collective memory.
The Sound of Woodstock
Featured from PBS NewsHour: Beyond the Canvas
Meet some of the nation’s leading cultural creators -- musicians, playwrights, comedians, and more.
