AZPM Event
AZPM, the joint-licensee serving Tucson and Southern Arizona, officially opened the Paul and Alice Baker Center for Public Media on May 1 with a ribbon-cutting celebration that brought together dignitaries, donors, staff, friends, and community partners.
The Baker Center is a $65 million state-of-the-art facility that is 100% donor-funded, made possible through the support of more than 1,500 donors and community partners. The 61,500 square foot facility positions AZPM and Southern Arizona at the forefront of innovation in public broadcasting and media production.
For the first time in its nearly 70-year history, AZPM will now operate from a facility specifically designed and built to support its television, radio and digital program services, and its core mission of serving the Southern Arizona community.
The highest levels of technology, acoustic precision, and architectural innovation were incorporated into all the spaces utilized by AZPM’s NPR 89.1, Classical 90.5, a growing slate of radio productions and podcasts, production studios, and an audio performance studio for live and recorded sessions.
With high visibility and ease of community access, The Baker Center for Public Media is also designed as a public square – a convening place for public debates, presentations, screenings, and events for generations to come. A key feature is the 5,000 square foot Studio A which is equipped with floor-level retractable seating and permanent balcony seating. It is both a television studio for video production and a community space for community engagement.
“It’s more than a building,” said AZPM CEO Jack Gibson. “It’s a transformative investment in how we serve our community.”
The official ribbon cutting was led by Gibson, AZPM Community Advisory Board Vice Chair Jodi Bain, University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella, Kautz Family Foundation Trustee Dan Kautz, and the building’s namesakes, Paul and Alice Baker.
The ceremony highlighted the collaborative effort behind the new facility and its mission to expand access to public media while strengthening ties with the local community.
Following the ribbon cutting, attendees gathered in Studio A for a video presentation and remarks highlighting the vision and capabilities of the new center. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (D) addressed roughly 200 attendees, underscoring the broad support for public media in Southern Arizona.
“I am a very proud mama of three PBS Kids, and my dad, the late Congressman Raul Grijalva, was such a huge supporter of public media, so to be here at this moment is very meaningful,” said Grijalva. “The Baker Center is not just a state-of-the-art facility — it is a symbol of free speech and a symbol of access to information.”
Garimella also spoke during the Studio A presentation, praising AZPM’s longstanding role in the community and its connection to the university’s mission.
“For 70 years, AZPM has been an important part of this community, and its mission aligns closely with the University of Arizona’s land-grant mission,” said Garimella. “This new facility ensures AZPM can continue serving Southern Arizona for generations to come.”
After the presentations, guests were invited to tour the building, offering a firsthand look at the innovative spaces designed for production, education, and community collaboration. The facility is expected to enhance AZPM’s ability to deliver high-quality content while fostering deeper connections with audiences across Southern Arizona.
“This project was made possible by individuals who believed in AZPM’s future,” said Gibson. “Their gifts and support, led by Paul and Alice Baker, are acts of belief in the long-term strengths of this university, this organization, and this community.
SLIDESHOW: Baker Center for Public Media Grand Opening