Twin Cities PBS Begins Development on ‘Mashopolis’

A grant has been given to TBT to develop the multiplatform kids’ property.

January 13, 2021

Twin Cities PBS (TPT) has begun development of a multiplatform property designed to help kids ages 4-8 develop critical executive functioning skills to lay the foundation for their future career success.

TPT was awarded its second Ready To Learn (RTL) grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, to support the project, which has a working title of “Mashopolis”

and plans to launch in 2023. The veteran creative team behind TPT’s recently launched “Hero Elementary,” which was funded by a 2015 RTL grant, will spearhead development of “Mashopolis.” TPT was one of only two recipients to receive the competitive RTL grant in 2020, with the second one going to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded another Ready to Learn grant, giving us the opportunity to reach kids with developmentally appropriate content to inspire and prepare them for future workforce opportunities,” says Melissa Wright, chief content officer, TPT. “Whatever jobs await our country’s

youngest children, executive functioning skills will be paramount in making sure all kids, regardless of their background, can succeed.”