Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop
CTW/Sesame Workshop · Public domain · source
Name	Sesame Workshop
Formation	1968
Founders	Joan Ganz Cooney, Lloyd Morrisett
Location	New York City

Sesame Workshop is a renowned American non-profit organization that has been a pioneer in the field of children's education and entertainment for over five decades, collaborating with notable entities such as PBS, HBO, and Netflix. Founded by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett in 1968, the organization has been instrumental in creating iconic shows like Sesame Street, which features beloved characters like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster, and has worked with esteemed partners like The Jim Henson Company and Mattel. The organization's mission is to use the power of media to educate and inspire children, and it has received numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sesame Workshop has partnered with organizations like UNICEF, The World Bank, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to promote children's education and well-being globally.

● History

The history of Sesame Workshop dates back to the 1960s, when Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett began exploring the potential of television to educate young children, drawing inspiration from the work of Marshall McLuhan and Jean Piaget. They collaborated with Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and other notable creators to develop the concept for Sesame Street, which premiered in 1969 on National Educational Television (NET) and later moved to PBS. The show was an instant success, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon, featuring a diverse cast of characters, including Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, and Grover, and tackling complex issues like AIDS, racism, and disability rights. Over the years, Sesame Workshop has continued to innovate and expand its reach, partnering with organizations like The Sesame Street Research Institute and The Children's Television Workshop to develop new shows and initiatives, such as The Electric Company and 3-2-1 Contact!, and collaborating with notable figures like Julia Roberts, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Michelle Obama.

● Organization

Sesame Workshop is headquartered in New York City and has a global presence, with offices in Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo. The organization is led by a team of experienced executives, including Steve Youngwood, who serves as the CEO, and Sherrie Westin, who is the President of Social Impact and Philanthropy. Sesame Workshop has a diverse board of trustees, which includes notable figures like Jeffrey D. Dunn, Mellody Hobson, and Andrea Metcalf, and has partnered with organizations like The Ford Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and The Carnegie Corporation of New York to support its mission. The organization is also supported by a network of donors and partners, including The Gates Foundation, The Walton Family Foundation, and The LEGO Foundation, and has collaborated with esteemed institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and The University of Pennsylvania.

● Productions

Sesame Workshop has produced a wide range of television shows, films, and digital content, including Sesame Street, The Electric Company, and Pinkalicious & Peterrific. The organization has also developed a number of educational apps and games, such as Sesame Street Alphabet Kitchen and Elmo's Monster Maker, and has partnered with companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon to distribute its content. Sesame Workshop has won numerous awards for its productions, including multiple Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, and Grammy Awards, and has collaborated with notable creators like Sofia Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, and J.J. Abrams. The organization's productions have been broadcast in over 150 countries and have been translated into many languages, including Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic, and have been supported by organizations like The National Endowment for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

● Educational Goals

Sesame Workshop's educational goals are focused on promoting children's cognitive, social, and emotional development, and the organization has developed a range of curricula and educational materials to support these goals. The organization's educational content is designed to be engaging and accessible, and it is informed by research in the fields of child development, education, and psychology. Sesame Workshop has partnered with organizations like The National Association for the Education of Young Children and The American Academy of Pediatrics to develop its educational content, and has collaborated with notable experts like Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Dr. Benjamin Spock, and Dr. James Comer. The organization's educational goals are aligned with national and international standards, including the Common Core State Standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and have been supported by institutions like The Brookings Institution, The RAND Corporation, and The Urban Institute.

● Impact and Reception

Sesame Workshop's productions have had a significant impact on children's education and development, and the organization has been widely praised for its innovative and effective approach to education. The organization's shows have been credited with improving children's literacy and numeracy skills, as well as promoting social and emotional learning, and have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, and Grammy Awards. Sesame Workshop has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has partnered with organizations like The National Association for Multicultural Education and The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to promote these values. The organization's impact has been studied by researchers at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and The University of Pennsylvania, and has been supported by organizations like The Ford Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and The Carnegie Corporation of New York.

● International Co-productions

Sesame Workshop has collaborated with partners around the world to develop international co-productions, including Sesame Street co-productions in countries like Mexico, South Africa, and India. The organization has also developed regional versions of its shows, such as Sesamstraat in The Netherlands and 5, Rue Sésame in France. Sesame Workshop's international co-productions are designed to be culturally relevant and responsive to local needs, and the organization has partnered with local producers and broadcasters to develop content that is tailored to specific regions and languages. The organization's international co-productions have been supported by organizations like The World Bank, The United Nations Children's Fund, and The European Union, and have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Emmy Awards and Peabody Awards. Sesame Workshop's international co-productions have also been studied by researchers at institutions like The University of Oxford, The University of Cambridge, and The London School of Economics, and have been supported by institutions like The British Council, The German Academic Exchange Service, and The Fulbright Program.