Bob Ross Art Helps John Oliver Raise Funds for Public Broadcasting

"It's been a challenging time for public broadcasting lately. Over the summer, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced plans to close its doors after more than half a century of operations, and the effects of federal funding cuts have raised existential threats to local stations around the country. And while HBO is unlikely to be mistaken for a public broadcaster any time soon, one of its most prominent figures recently took a big step towards benefitting local stations in need."

"As Variety's Michael Schneider reports, John Oliver assembled dozens of items to be auctioned online, with proceeds benefitting the Public Media Bridge Fund. (The fund's website describes it as "a strategic philanthropic initiative designed to guide the public media system through a crisis moment to a more sustainable and impactful future.") Potential buyers had a wide range of items to choose from, including Last Week Tonight With John Oliver props and a painting by Bob Ross."

"Ross's 1986 painting Cabin at Sunset was the big-ticket item in the auction, selling for over a million dollars. All told, Variety reports that this particular auction brought in $1.54 million for the Public Media Bridge Fund. Cabin at Sunset is not the only work of Ross's to benefit public broadcasting this year; a group of Ross's works were also sold at auction via Bonham's earlier this fall."

Public broadcasting faces major challenges after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced plans to close after more than half a century and federal funding cuts threatened local stations. John Oliver assembled dozens of items for an online auction to benefit the Public Media Bridge Fund, including Last Week Tonight props and a Bob Ross painting. Ross's 1986 Cabin at Sunset sold for over $1 million, contributing to a $1.54 million total for the fund. Additional Bob Ross works also sold at Bonham's earlier in the fall. A separate Literary Arts Fund aims to aid organizations impacted by cancelled NEA grants.

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