Classic Arts Showcase is a not-for-profit 24-hour satellite programming service offered free of charge through local public service channels, and both cable and broadcast stations. It is available in more than 50 million homes.
Bringing the Arts to Everyone
CAS was the vision of Lloyd E. Rigler. It was his lifelong love of the performing arts – and his concern that the majority of Americans are rarely exposed to the world’s greatest performances – that inspired this vision. After tracking ticket sales of live performances for decades, Rigler found arts organizations were performing to more empty seats every year, selling fewer tickets and charging more for them. With current audiences aging, and little or no arts exposure in homes and schools to build new audiences, Rigler sought to foster a wider appreciation of classic arts nationwide — through television. He envisioned the creation of a 24-hour non-commercial arts network, designed to bring the classic arts to the widest possible audience.
Expect the Unexpected
There is no program guide for CAS, because the beauty of CAS is that you’ll never know what to expect. One moment you might be watching a rare film of George Gershwin performing one of his own compositions on the piano, and less than five minutes later you might see Beverly Sills in a great moment from a classic opera. Each weekly eight-hour show is downlinked by hundreds of channels across the country at different times, with different schedules. The element of surprise — not knowing exactly what’s coming up next — is part of what CAS is all about. The goal is to generate excitement and build a new audience for the wide range of performances presented through the arts.
We are Fully Funded
CAS is entirely funded by the Lloyd E. Rigler – Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation, a major arts supporter for more than 25 years. That support allows CAS to present legendary performances with no commercial interruptions, and at no cost to the viewer. Although we greatly appreciate the intention, no donations are accepted.
The foundation’s goal in creating CAS was to inspire viewers to go out and see live performances in their own communities, and to help to build a growing audience for the arts.
