Television Academy Foundation Launches New Apprenticeship Program

Disability Rights Philanthropist Loreen Arbus Sponsors Foundation’s First Apprenticeship Placement With the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Television Academy Foundation today unveiled its new Alumni Apprenticeships Program, which places alumni from its education programs into the media workforce and addresses the challenging entry-level job market faced by many entering the industry today.

The Foundation, in partnership with the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games and underwritten by The Loreen Arbus Foundation, has placed 2023 internship alumnus Tarelle Butts in an eight-week, full-time production job at the USA Games. Butts will work with the special events team in talent production and publicity to support large-scale, multisport production. The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will unite 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 20-26, 2026.

“This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, providing our alumni with real, hands-on opportunities to begin building their careers in media,” said Tina Perry, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We are especially honored to partner with the Special Olympics USA Games as our first employer collaborator — an organization whose commitment to inclusion and powerful storytelling aligns so deeply with our own values.”

“This partnership is a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world,” said Christy Sovereign, president and CEO, 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. “We are honored to have them join us on this journey to celebrate the power of human potential and inspire a nation.”

Originally from San Jose, California, Butts is a 2024 graduate of Santa Monica College who majored in entertainment promotion and marketing production. He was a 2023 Foundation editing intern at Ping Pong Productions in Glendale, California, and will begin his apprenticeship in Minneapolis with the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games on May 11.

Loreen Arbus is president of The Loreen Arbus Foundation and Loreen Arbus Productions. A longtime board member of the Television Academy Foundation, she holds the distinction of being the first woman to head programming for a U.S. network (Showtime and Cable Health Network/Lifetime) — and was twice nominated for an Emmy^®. For 17 years she has also sponsored the Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Award at the Television Academy Foundation’s annual College Television Awards, which rewards a student-produced project that best portrays disability issues or helps emerging artists with a disability gain recognition.

“We believe that equitable hiring must be backed by action, and that begins with giving diverse people a real chance to enter the workforce," said Arbus. "Launching this initiative with the Special Olympics USA Games is especially meaningful, as it reflects a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and advancing representation.”

About the Television Academy Foundation

The Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to inspiring tomorrow’s Emmy winners today by discovering and championing future television leaders. Through its celebrated nationwide programs — including its Internship Program and College Television Awards — the Foundation opens doors for emerging talent, empowering them to launch careers in television. The Foundation also produces The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, an extraordinary archive that preserves the stories of the industry’s most influential voices. Together, these initiatives inspire creativity, foster inclusion and shape the future of television. For more information on the Foundation, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.

About 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games — scheduled for June 20-26, 2026, across Minnesota’s Twin Cities with sports competitions at the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine — is a national celebration of inclusivity, changing perceptions and the ability of the human spirit rising above limitations. As a state with a long history of championing diversity, equity and inclusion, the USA Games now bring an unrivaled opportunity to spark new energy around the Special Olympics movement and create a lasting legacy of positive change. Visit the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games at 2026specialolympicsusagames.org.

About The Loreen Arbus Foundation

The Loreen Arbus Foundation is dedicated to a wide range of charitable interests, including advocacy for people with disabilities and other marginalized communities; the advancement of women and girls; gender and racial equity in media; the arts; animal rights; scientific and medical research; and the environment. The Foundation establishes and funds scholarships that elevate social consciousness and support initiatives addressing critical societal issues. After all, the largest minority in the world is people with disabilities. For more information, visit arbusprod.com.