Kansas City, MO, March 10, 2023 - Kansas City PBS will take viewers behind the scenes of the largest public art project in Kansas City history – at the recently opened Kansas City International Airport. 19L (ONE NINE LEFT) is the newest documentary from Regional Emmy-Winning producer Brad Austin (Bird: Not Out of Nowhere, All These Delicate Sorrows). The film will premiere Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 7 p.m. on Channel 19.1. It will be available to stream at kansascitypbs.org the following day.

Since 1972, journeys to and from Kansas City have begun, or ended, on a 10,000-foot stretch of concrete known to KCI airport personnel as ’Runway 19L’ (Pronounced ONE NINE LEFT). This year, Kansas City will open a new airport terminal that will welcome fresh stories of family vacations, business travelers, future NFL stars, and international soccer fanatics.

19L (ONE NINE LEFT) chronicles the largest public art project in Kansas City history and the 19 local artists tasked with creating Kansas City’s first impression with those visitors at Kansas City International Airport. In 2019, Kansas City extended an open call to local artists for an opportunity to share their work in the new KCI Airport Terminal. More than 1,900 artists answered the call, and this is the story of the nineteen left.

“Brad Austin is a master of bringing the beauty of art to screen,” said Kliff Kuehl, president and CEO of Kansas City PBS. ”He’s done it once again with 19L, promising audiences a beautiful, behind-the-scenes view of creating, installing and unveiling the largest public art endeavor in our city’s history. Audiences are in for a treat with this unparalleled access.”

“I am always inspired by the incredible talent of artists right here in Kansas City,” said Austin. “The pieces they’ve created and installed are a stellar first impression when travelers walk through Kansas City International Airport.”

Support for this program was provided by AARP Kansas City, Herb and Bonnie Buchbinder, and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts.

About Kansas City PBS
Located in the heart of Kansas City, MO, Kansas City PBS is a non-profit multimedia organization that has been serving the community since 1961. The PBS member station airs diverse content focused on civic affairs, science, food, drink, arts and culture on four television channels, including Channel 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 (Create) and 19.4, the 24-hour PBS kids channel. Channel 19.1 and 19.4 are also available to livestream online, with programming available on-demand in the PBS Video App and Kansas City PBS Passport, a member-benefit streaming service. Kansas City PBS serves students, caregivers and the local education community through free, online resources, workshops for parents and teachers, and annual conferences and events. It also owns and operates the local NPR music station, 90.9 The Bridge, providing nonprofit radio in a AAA format to listeners over the air and online streaming. Kansas City PBS’ nonprofit source for local journalism, Flatland produces multimedia reporting focused on civic  affairs, arts and culture, food and drink, and education. For more information on Kansas City PBS or its wide variety of local and national content, visit kansascitypbs.org