(716) 884-0095
WBFO has received funding commitments for its Arts & Culture News Desk. The newly-established desk, which will begin airing segments in January 2017, is co-funded by The Arts Services Initiative of Western New York and the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site. Broadcast veteran Scott Sackett will serve as lead reporter for the News Desk.
“We know that WBFO listeners enjoy coverage of Western New York’s thriving arts community and establishing an Arts & Culture News Desk is fitting, based on the sector’s contributions to the economic vitality and quality of life in our region,” said Brian Meyer, Senior News and Public Affairs Director of WBFO.
WBFO established its content-specific News Desks earlier this year. By focusing on a specific subject, the desks provide a powerful opportunity for radio journalists to address major issues and topics within our community that are often underreported by other media sources. The content focus of each News Desk will allow for a depth and frequency of coverage and allow reporters to follow important stories and topics over time. Content from each News Desk will also appear on wbfo.org and the website will be used to expand on stories heard on WBFO with additional background and depth.
"Cultural organizations and artists in our community have cited awareness of their work as one of their top priorities, and having a dedicated Arts & Culture News Desk at WBFO is an excellent way to highlight the depth and breadth of the cultural sector in our region," Arts Services Initiative of Western New York Executive Director Tod A. Kniazuk said. "The establishment of this desk means that culturals of all sizes and disciplines, and artists in all mediums and stages of their careers, will have a greater opportunity to get the message out about their work and its impact."
“Theodore Roosevelt believed fervently that it was everyone’s responsibility to be active in civic life. For TR, that meant being well-informed about the issues of the times,” explained Stanton H. Hudson, Jr., Executive Director of the TR Site. “In Western New York, there is no better source for the type of quality journalism that is critical to an informed democracy than National Public Radio (NPR) member station partner WBFO-FM 88.7. And, through a dedicated arts and culture news desk at WBFO, artists and cultural organizations will be provided enhanced opportunities for listeners to experience their work, which often address historical and contemporary social, religious, political, and cultural issues and provide a framework for exploring challenging and difficult subjects.”
Over the course of his 25-year career, independent film and radio producer Scott Sackett has written and produced arts and cultural programming for PBS, NPR and Public Radio International. Sackett began his career at Newsradio 970, WEBR and also worked at the Associated Press Rome Bureau. Upon his return to Buffalo, Sackett focused on music and arts programming on WNED-FM where he currently serves as classical music program host.
Sackett has also been an instructor in post-secondary education for more than 20 years. He has developed and taught courses for Niagara County Community College, the Arts in Education Institute at Medaille College, the University at Buffalo’s School of Management and English Language Institute, and the International Institute of Buffalo.
About WNED | WBFO
The WNED | WBFO family of stations broadcasts PBS, NPR and Classical music programming throughout the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions. These high-quality programs and community outreach services inform, enlighten, entertain and educate our local and regional communities. Our member-supported stations include WNED-TV (PBS), WBFO-FM 88.7 (NPR), Classical 94.5 WNED and WNED Thinkbright @ Create®. WNED-TV is also a national producer of award-winning documentaries. Additional information about WNED ǀ WBFO can be found at wned.org.
About TR Site
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, Western New York’s only National Park Service facility, preserves the home in Buffalo, NY where Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States. Opened to the public on September 14, 1971 and managed by a volunteer board of trustees who comprise the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation, the Site provides opportunities for the public to understand the historic events surrounding the inauguration and conveys the lasting significance of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency. More information about the TR Site can be found online at: www.TRSite.org
About Arts Service Initiative
Arts Services Initiative of Western New York (ASI) fosters capacity building, collaboration, and advocacy efforts for the region’s cultural sector, an integral part of our community. ASI works closely with the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance, (GBCA) and brings together several networks including Arts Partners for Learning, Theater Alliance of Buffalo and Cultural Alliance of Niagara. ASI will pick up and continue the work of the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County, the Arts Council in Niagara County, and Advancing Arts and Culture. ASI is a non-profit 501c3 organization (pending) governed by an independent board of directors comprising artists, arts administrators, business people, and private and corporate funders. ASI has the support of the New York Council on the Arts and the Fund for the Arts, both of which participated in its development and provided initial operational funding. ASI is a member of Americans for the Arts (AFTA) and the New York Council on Non Profits (NYCON).
The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site is operated by the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, through a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service.
© 2025 | All Rights Reserved
641 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202 • (716) 884-0095
Website by Luminus