Arizona PBS and The Heard Museum are collaborating to bring Molly Mabray, the title character from the popular PBS Kids series, “Molly of Denali,” to the museum for a free event on Saturday, Aug. 27. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event represents Molly’s first official appearance in the state of Arizona.
“At Arizona PBS, we recognize the importance of representation in media, and we’re proud to broadcast such a trailblazing kids program like ‘Molly of Denali,’ that continues to break new ground for its representation of an Indigenous community,” said Arizona PBS General Manager Adrienne R. Fairwell. “I’m thankful to The Heard Museum for their collaboration on what promises to be a great event for the many local families that have become fans of this fictional Alaskan vlogger.”
The first nationally distributed children’s show to feature a Native American lead character, “Molly of Denali” is created by a group of Indigenous actors, screenwriters, producers, production teams, advisers and even Alaska Native children, who are featured in the show’s live-action sequences.
“As the Heard Museum expands our focus on creating dynamic experiences for youth and families, we’re delighted to partner with Arizona PBS to bring Molly to Arizona for the first time,” said the Heard’s Dickey Family Director & CEO David Roche. “We’re thrilled to feature ‘Molly of Denali,’ a groundbreaking program that showcases Indigenous culture and talent, amidst our galleries that celebrate American Indian art in all its forms.”
In addition to meeting Molly, event attendees will have an opportunity to hear stories, create art and explore the museum’s galleries. Because of support provided by Delta Dental Foundation of Arizona, attendees will also be able to pick up a free “Molly of Denali” book for children. The Heard Museum’s Free Summer Saturdays program is sponsored by Arizona Public Service, the Molly Blank Fund, the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, and the Steele Foundation. For more information on the event, click here.
For more on “Molly of Denali,” visit pbs.org/show/molly-of-denali and to find more upcoming programs and exhibitions at the Heard Museum, visit Heard.org.
About Arizona PBS
Arizona PBS is one of the nation’s leading public media organizations, with four broadcast channels and a growing array of digital platforms. A trusted community resource for 60 years, Arizona PBS fosters lifelong learning through quality programming, in-depth news coverage and critical educational outreach services. It is one of the country’s largest public television stations, reaching 80 percent of Arizona homes and 1.9 million households each week. Arizona PBS has been part of ASU since the station launched in 1961. Learn more at https://azpbs.org.
About The Heard Museum
Since its founding in 1929, the Heard Museum, a private nonprofit organization, has grown in size and stature to become recognized internationally for the quality of its collections, world-class exhibitions, educational programming, and unmatched festivals. Dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, the Heard successfully presents the stories of American Indian people from a first-person perspective and exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary art. In part, the Heard Museum is supported by the generosity of Heard Museum members and donors, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. In association with the Smithsonian, the Heard Museum is part of a select group of museums and cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share the Smithsonian’s resources with the nation.