Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Amna Nawaz, BEYOND THE CANVAS is a modern arts and culture series that features the best arts and culture reporting from PBS NEWSHOUR's CANVAS arts series. The half-hour programs feature various profiles of cultural creators from the legendary artist Bruce Springsteen to the award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda. Each profile explores a variety of universal themes including finding your passion, making a change, creating a new world, and getting that big break. The four episodes of Season 1 include:

"Making Music": Making it as a musician takes talent, ambition, grit and a good bit of luck. In the first episode of Beyond the CANVAS. We sit down with icons Bruce Springsteen and Reba McEntire and talk about some of their most vulnerable moments.

"Finding Joy": What does it take to be truly happy? For many artists taking the stage or singing their heart out is what brings them the ultimate joy. They couldn't imagine doing anything else. In our second episode, we examine the emotional motivation that pushes some artists to chase their dream and leads others to decide when it's time to give it up for something else. We hear from actress Adrienne Moore on the wisdom of her father's words, Gloria and Emilio Estefan on their success in the music business and as a couple. And we hear from living legend Joan Baez on her decision to silence her voice.

"Taking the Stage": Ultimate creative bravery is putting your work on the theater stage where the audience can see it all. It takes courage and acceptance of artistic vulnerability. In this episode, we speak to some of the theater's brightest stars. Multi-talented Lin-Manuel Miranda, acclaimed actor Bryan Cranston and others share their passion for the theater.

"Movie Magic": On the Oscar Awards edition of Beyond the CANVAS, we sit down with nominees and winners to talk about their craft and commitment to storytelling. What does it take to execute a unique artistic vision? Creators behind films like BLACK PANTHER and A BEAUTIFUL MIND share secrets to their success and we hear from comedy duo Steve Martin and Martin Short.



On Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 9:30pm (check local listings), PBS debuted the five-episode second season of BEYOND THE CANVAS.

"World of Writers" (season premiere on Tuesday, March 23, 2021): Finding one's voice as a writer takes dedication, courage, and a willingness to reimagine the world through words on a page. In this episode of BEYOND THE CANVAS, Margaret Atwood, playwright Danai Gurira, and others talk about finding meaning as a writer.

"Visionaries of the Arts": What does it take to make it to the top? We speak to visionaries recognized at the highest levels in their fields. Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, filmmaker Sir David Attenborough, and others share what it takes to achieve excellence.

"Women of Wonder": BEYOND THE CANVAS honors five trailblazing women in the arts. The legendary Dolly Parton, Julie Andrews, and other creators show us how the road to success wasn't just one they walked, but one they paved themselves.

"Making the Moment": What does it mean to deliver "a message with the music"? Sit down with Black musicians who bridge story and sound. The musical ensemble Ranky Tanky, singer Rhiannon Giddens and others share their belief in the power of music to honor the past and inspire the future.

"Modern Mexico": We hear from some of Mexico's most prominent figures, including ROMA star and activist Yalitza Aparicio and chef Gabriela Camara. This episode highlights Mexico's emergence as a global arts center and shares updates on how some of the country's creative innovators are surviving amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Season 3 of BEYOND THE CANVAS debuted on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 10:30pm on PBS (check local listings). In the season opener, "Art, All Around Us," artists and creators prove that art is in every part of their lives; women big wave surfers, Latino baseball pioneers and an all-Black mountaineering team.