YEAR IN REVIEW 

The Arts and Education Council’s 60th anniversary this year offers the opportunity to celebrate, reflect and reimagine. In the history of our organization – due to tremendous support from our community – more than $100 million has been invested in arts organizations and educators across our region. Just this year, at our annual Arts Awards, we raised more than $236,000, including $16,625 for the Arts and Education Teachers' Fund (view event album here). We also recently opened the Bayer Rural Community Arts Fund, AmerenCares Equity in the Arts Philanthropic Grant and the Arts and Healing Initiative. There has been much to celebrate as we continue to live out our mission to build appreciation, participation and support for the arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community.  

LOOKING AHEAD 

As we plan for our future, we seek to build on this strong foundation and explore how the Arts and Education Council is uniquely positioned to best support inclusive and innovative growth in the arts across our region. With this effort is also recognition of the changing landscape as corporate funding shifts and non-profits, including A+E, navigate the post-pandemic world. We know that acting with intentionality as an organization will allow us new opportunities to champion creativity and nurture the talents of many. To that end, our board and staff have spent the past months collaborating on a new strategic plan and building new community partnerships, both of which will provide for a more robust and inclusive arts calendar, membership opportunities and allow us to sharpen our focus on education and innovation.

SUPPORTING ART EDUCATORS

In light of this effort, A+E has relaunched the Teachers' Fund grant program. We continue to hear from educators across the region that public schools struggle to receive adequate funding in support of the arts, despite clear evidence of the myriad benefits for learning and child development. Please consider contributing to this fund, which provides for a range of needs from art supplies to choir robes, field trips to musical instruments. And for those who sign up to give, we have a special opportunity…

STAY CONNECTED

The Arts and Education Council is excited about our future and the opportunity to be part of building an even more vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem in the St. Louis region, and we are so grateful for your continued support and engagement. We will have many updates in the months to come and encourage you to follow the Arts and Education Council on our social media to stay connected to the latest arts news, grant opportunities, upcoming arts activities, inspiring stories and more. Together, we keep art happening!