• About 30 of Bob Ross's paintings will be auctioned to support public television stations facing funding cuts.
• The auctions, beginning on November 11, aim to raise between $850,000 and $1.4 million.
• Net proceeds will go directly to PBS and NPR stations for programming costs after federal funding cuts.

Approximately 30 paintings created by the iconic Bob Ross will soon be auctioned to support public television stations that are struggling due to cuts in federal funding. The auctions, scheduled to start on November 11 in Los Angeles, will feature artworks that span Ross's career, many of which were created during live episodes of his show, "The Joy of Painting." Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., emphasized that the auction "ensures Bob's legacy continues to support the very medium that brought his joy and creativity into American homes for decades," according to CBS News, BBC, and NPR.

The initiative comes as approximately 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations face financial challenges following Congress's decision to eliminate $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting, as requested by President Trump's administration. The auction aims to raise funds to cover licensing fees required for broadcasting popular programs such as "America's Test Kitchen" and "Julia Child's French Chef Classics." Auction house Bonhams, which is conducting the sale, expects the paintings' total value to range from $850,000 to $1.4 million, indicating a significant opportunity to assist local stations in dire need of financial support, according to BBC and NPR.

Bob Ross's television series, aired from 1983 to 1994, saw a resurgence in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as viewers found solace in his calming presence and heartfelt lessons on painting. His gentle philosophy of "happy accidents" continues to resonate, as noted by many fans and public broadcasting advocates. Joan Kowalski remarked on the cultural impact of Ross by stating that his approach made art accessible to millions, a sentiment echoed by public broadcasting leaders. The auction's proceeds are pledging to directly support local public television stations, helping them navigate financial hurdles created by the diminished federal funding landscape, according to CBS News and NPR.

The paintings, some of which have been securely stored away since their creation, represent a unique offering to collectors and fans, with Bonhams heralding it as the "largest single offering of Bob Ross original works ever brought to market." Notably, two of Ross's paintings sold earlier this year shattered records, achieving final sale prices significantly above estimates, thus raising expectations for the upcoming auctions, according to BBC and NPR.