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Academy of Television Arts & Sciences facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Television Academy - 2018.jpg
Founded 1946; 79 years ago (1946)
Legal status 501(c)(6)
Location
Area served
 Television industry
Product Primetime Emmy Award
Key people
 Frank Scherma
(Chairman and CEO)
Revenue (2019)
 $36,921,627

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (often called the Television Academy) is a special group of professionals. They work to make television better in the United States. It is a non-profit organization, meaning it doesn't aim to make money. It was started in 1946. This organization is famous for giving out the Primetime Emmy Awards every year. These awards celebrate the best shows and people in U.S. television that air during prime time (the evening hours).

History

The Start of the Academy

A man named Syd Cassyd had a big idea in 1946. He believed television could be used for learning and serious discussions. He wanted to create a group that would focus on the best achievements in TV. He imagined a group similar to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which honors movies.

So, Cassyd started the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He worked with other important people in the early TV industry. They all met and helped create this new organization.

Growing and Changing

In 1955, Cassyd's academy in Los Angeles joined with a New York academy. The New York group was started by Ed Sullivan, a famous TV host. Together, they formed the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

However, in 1977, the Los Angeles part of the group decided to become separate again. They kept the rights to give out the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Los Angeles Emmys.

New Look and Leadership

In 2014, the organization changed its public name to the "Television Academy." They also got a new logo. This change was meant to make the group's name sound more modern and easier to remember. The new logo has a line that looks like a screen or a "portal."

In 2016, a producer named Hayma Washington became the chairman and CEO. He was the first African-American person to hold this important position.

Emmy Award

The courtyard -- Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The courtyard and Emmy Award statue at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences facility in North Hollywood.

In 1949, the Television Academy held the very first Emmy Awards ceremony. This event was created to celebrate excellent TV shows in the U.S. At first, it only included shows from the Los Angeles area.

The name "Emmy" comes from "Immy." This was a nickname for the "image orthicon" camera tube. This tube was very important for making modern television possible. The word was changed to "Emmy" to sound more like a girl's name. This matched the award's statue, which shows a winged woman holding an atom.

Who Gives Out the Emmys?

Three different organizations work together to give out the Emmy Awards. Each one focuses on a different part of television:

  • The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences gives out the Primetime Emmys. These are for shows that air in the evening.
  • The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) gives out Emmys for daytime shows, sports, news, and documentaries.
  • The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences gives out Emmys for TV shows made outside the U.S.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences also gives out the Los Angeles Emmy Awards. These awards honor local TV shows in the Los Angeles area.

Publications and Programs

Besides giving out the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Television Academy does other important things. They publish an award-winning magazine called emmy.

Through their Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, they also run many educational programs. These include:

  • The Archive of American Television, which saves interviews and stories from TV history.
  • Annual College Television Awards for student films.
  • The Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarship, which helps students.
  • Student internships, where young people can learn about the TV industry.
  • Other programs that help educate people about television.

Television Academy Honors

The Television Academy Honors started in 2008. These awards celebrate TV shows that have a "conscience." This means they recognize programs that inspire, inform, or even help change lives. These shows often deal with important social issues.

Hall of Fame

Main article: Television Hall of Fame

The Television Academy Hall of Fame was created by John H. Mitchell. He was a former president of the Academy. This Hall of Fame honors people who have made amazing contributions to U.S. television. New members are added to the Hall of Fame from time to time, but not every year.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Academia de Artes y Ciencias de la Televisión para niños

  • List of American television awards
  • National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
  • International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
  • Primetime Emmy Award