It all started with John Lowell Jr. way back in ’36. 1836 that is. The Lowell Institute, and a 1946 venture by six Boston colleges to broadcast its lecture series, was born from a 110-year-old legacy left by Lowell to create ‘free public lectures for the citizens of Boston.’ In 1951, the same movement gave rise to the fm station of the WGBH Education Foundation, 1955 saw Channel 2 hit the airwaves, and in 1996 Banff is honoring the public broadcaster with its Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Boston broadcaster’s influence reaches far beyond its two million viewers and 375,000 listeners in Beantown. Programming like Masterpiece Theatre, This Old House, Nova, Frontline and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? has given wgbh-tv the distinction of producing more of the pbs lineup than any other supplier.

At a time when public broadcasting is staring down budget demons all across the globe, support from its own public in 1995 has allowed wgbh to achieve its 15th consecutive year with an operating surplus, albeit small. On the downside, fiscal 1995 marked the first of several years of reduced government funding.

Canadian producers can share in the broadcaster’s pride this year at Banff, having partnered often with wgbh. Frontline, the public affairs documentary series, and Nova, the ‘science adventures for grownups’ series, have been outlets for Canadian production, and wgbh partnered with Toronto’s Playing With Time to produce the ever-popular Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High series.

At the forefront right now at wgbh is a high-profile collaboration with Montreal’s Cinar on the animated children’s series Arthur. Thirty episodes featuring the escapades of the animated mouse are in the works.

‘We have a terrific relationship with wgbh,’ says Cassandra Schafhausen, Cinar’s vp of animation, production and development. ‘It’s great to work with a partner who shares our vision for high-quality, non-violent children’s tv.’

There’ll be a big delegation heading to Alberta from wgbh. While president and gm Henry Becton, vp of national programming Peter McGhee, and Brigid Sullivan, vp for special telecommunications services, will be on hand to receive the awards on tribute night, particular recognition will be given to a host of other creative executives responsible for some of tv’s household names. Among them will be Paula Apsell for Nova, Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery, and David Fanning for Frontline.

wgbh will be in powerful and respected company as it joins the ranks of previous Outstanding Achievement Award winners. The list includes Canal+, Radio-Canada, Children’s Television Workshop, Ted Turner, Granada Television and NHK-Japan Broadcasting Corporation.