September-October 2017 Happenings by Arts and Education Council

SEP-OCT 2017

The Arts Build Bridges and Connect Our Community 1

Letter from the President Greetings, Friends! One of the things I love most about the arts is their power to connect people. I am constantly amazed at how the arts allow us to share our stories, challenge our beliefs and broaden our perspectives. In short, the arts connect us to each other and ourselves in a way few other things can. They build bridges that empower us to reflect on our shared history and move forward together as one, stronger community.

In this issue, you will find examples of how Arts and Education Council (A&E)

grantees are using the arts to connect our city’s youth, celebrate our diverse heritage, initiate difficult conversations about violence and welcome displaced individuals to St. Louis.

You will also meet the Contemporary Art Museum’s new Chief Curator, Wassan

Al-Khudhairi, and learn about the 22 organizations receiving A&E Operating Grants this year. These unrestricted funds that you have made possible allow these organizations to broaden and strengthen their creative, economic and social impact in our community.

And, as you are looking for arts events to explore this fall, don’t forget to check

the ARTS Card calendar for performances and events where you can get a discount. You can find the complete listing of opportunities at KeepArtHappening. org/ARTS-Card-calendar.

Your support for A&E helps build bridges among the people and cultures of

our community. It is only through your support that we are able to make the bi-state region a vibrant place to live, learn, work and play. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Sincerely,

Cynthia A. Prost President and CEO P.S. Save the date! Join us for the 27th annual St. Louis Arts Awards on Monday, January 22 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. Visit KeepArtHappening.org/2018ArtsAwards.

ON THE COVER: A woman works on clay pottery in Webster Arts’ Outreach and Art Education to Refugees and Immigrants program, which resumes this September thanks in part to a PNC Project Grant from A&E. Photo courtesy Webster Arts.

2017 Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teacher Grants open! Applications are now open for the 2017 Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers. Interested teachers and schools have until September 11 to apply. For more information visit KeepArtHappening.org/Apply.

Why I Give: Three Impact: Invest: 9 5 4 7 Carol Webster Arts Questions: 2017 Operating welcomes refugees and immigrants 2

Meet CAM’s Support new Chief grantees Curator announced

Kaplan-Lyss

GRANTS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT:

Saint Louis Story Stitchers uses Monsanto Creative Impact Fund grant to inspire conversation among city youth

hortly after Susan Colangelo moved to St. Louis, two teenagers were shot and killed while sitting

on their front porch in a neighborhood near Colangelo’s home. A mother herself, she could not help but feel a

“We’re all in the same position, we’re all trying to get out and make something of ourselves. You know, you’re not alone.” —Kelsey, Story Stitcher (left)

responsibility for preventing future tragedies like that from happening. Inspired by social change movements and armed with a 30-year background in community-based arts, Colangelo knew the arts could be used to address gun violence in St. Louis. “Think of the Civil Rights Movement without the music, without Bob Dylan, without ‘We Shall Overcome’, without the photography or the videos that went into people’s houses,” says

This summer, Story Stitchers launched

going to their schools.”

Colangelo. “That made people come

the “Pick the City UP! Tour,” funded

to Washington, march with Martin

in part by a grant from the Arts and

Stitchers and lead performer, says the

Luther King, Jr. and create the Voting

Education Council’s Monsanto Creative

tour’s stop at the Juvenile Detention

[Rights] Act which changed everything.”

Impact Fund. The tour took them to

Center had a particularly meaningful

venues across St. Louis spreading their

impact on him. “Seeing us up there

message through performances.

dancing made them feel more comfort-

Colangelo hopes to facilitate similar change through Saint Louis Story Stitchers (an A&E grantee), which

“We’re bringing the African-American

Antonio, a 16-year-old intern at Story

able,” he says. “When we first got

implements youth-led visual art, public

experience of urban living to the urban

there, they were all slouched and stuff,

performance, community panels and

planning and art communities,” says

but by the end of the performance

other artistic approaches in an effort to

Colangelo. “Our effort this year is really

everybody was into it, so I feel like they

educate and inspire open conversation

aimed at going where [the youth] hang

need more stuff like that.”

around gun violence in our community.

out — going to their neighborhoods,

Thanks to the support of Colangelo and the organization as a whole, these youth have been given the tools they

Saint Louis Story Stitchers summer interns with Story Stitchers President and Founder Susan Colangelo (right).

need not only to make a positive impact on their community, but also to better themselves. Kelsey, 18, highlights the environment the organization has created for her and her fellow Story Stitchers. “We can just come right in and you’re free, you’re uplifted, you’re getting help, you’re having the resources you need. This does feel like home.” The “Pick the City UP! Tour” Grand Finale is September 29 at the .ZACK in the Grand Center Arts District. Tickets are $15, $10 for students. For tickets and information, visit storystitchers.org. For more information on A&E’s Monsanto Creative Impact Fund, visit keeparthappening.org/creative-impact. 3

GRANTS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT:

Webster Arts welcomes refugees and immigrants to St. Louis with Outreach and Art Education program

magine spending most of your life

Webster Arts (an A&E grantee), in part-

one Bhutanese man, a former basket-

moving from one temporary home

nership with the International Institute,

maker, who participated in the program.

to another with most, if not all, of

provided supplies and art instruction

“He hadn’t touched materials in 20

your energy focused on survival. This

to immigrants from Bhutan and the

years, and you could just see his shoul-

situation was a harsh reality for the more

Democratic Republic of Congo. For

ders start to relax, and he’s smiling and

than 40 people who participated in

most of the participants, this was the

showing everybody what he’s doing —

Webster Arts’ Outreach and Art Education

first time in years, or even decades, that

it was remarkable.”

to Refugees and Immigrants program

they had access to the arts.

this spring. During the six-week pilot program,

Jeane Vogel, executive director of Webster Arts, shares the story of

This man’s experience is just one of the many reasons Vogel decided to engage in this outreach in the first place. “We know what [the arts] can do for stress relief and just connecting you back

“He hadn’t touched materials in 20 years, and you could just see his shoulders start to relax, and he’s smiling and showing everybody what he’s doing — it was remarkable.”

to the community or connecting you to a community. This helped them feel productive, which is really important.” Webster Arts’ outreach has helped these displaced individuals find a sense of humanity again and find community in their new home of St. Louis. “Art provides an important means of self-expression for people,” adds Anna Crosslin, International Institute president and CEO. “The experience becomes even more meaningful for foreign-born

—Jeane Vogel, Webster Arts executive director

A woman prepares a block for printing.

continued on page 5 4

Webster Arts continued from page 4

Three Questions with CAM’s new Chief Curator

ast month, the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), an A&E grantee, welcomed its new Chief Curator Wassan Al-Khudhairi to the team. We sat down with Al-Khudhairi to discuss her new role at CAM and

why contemporary art is vital to our community. You’ve lived and worked all over the world. Why St. Louis and why CAM? What really attracted me to CAM was its great, long history of wonderful exhibitions. I didn’t know much about St. Louis, but I’ve been learning; and I think to be able to be part of the fabric of a city that has such a rich history of arts and culture and to think about how contemporary art can be part of that is something I’m really interested in. What role can contemporary art play in the community? I think that contemporary art can help us see things in a different way or through another perspective. I think through the process of engaging with contemporary art, there’s all these kinds of possibilities of connections that can happen in this kind of climate — not just in this country but in A woman works on clay pottery in Webster Arts’ Outreach and Art Education to Refugees and Immigrants program, which resumes this September with a PNC Project Grant from A&E.

the world right now. Can you tell us about the Hayv Kahraman exhibition opening in September? The show that I’ve been working on is an artist who’s based in Los Angeles

newcomers when they can practice art

— her name is Hayv Kahraman. She’s originally from Baghdad and has been

activities from their homeland and

living in the U.S. She was a refugee and left Iraq and has lived across Europe

meanwhile connect with others.”

and in the U.S. for many years now. Her work explores the idea of being a

Crosslin continues, “The program,

refugee and its effect on your physical body, in this kind of way that your

therefore, is a wonderful opportunity

body stores the emotions of that experience. The paintings are beautifully

for such newcomers to embroider, make

executed. And then in November, she will come and do a performance.

baskets, woodwork and even knit

For more information on CAM’s fall exhibitions, visit camstl.org.

together.” “What we know in our souls is that art elevates life,” Vogel continues. “Art is the thing that makes us human.

Wassan Al-Khudairi

We’re creative beings. And when you take that level of creativity out of your life, everything else feels harder. Being able to take your mind and body and move it into a different direction that’s creating something new is the essence of who we are as people.” Webster Arts’ Outreach and Art Education for Refugees and Immigrants program resumes this September for an extended 14-16 week session, funded in part by a PNC Project Grant from A&E. For more information on PNC Project Grants, visit KeepArtHappening.org/ PNC-Project-Grants. For more information on Webster Arts’ Outreach and Art Education to Refugees and Immigrants, visit webster-arts.org.

Photos courtesy Webster Arts.

GRANTS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT:

A&E grantees collaborate on Meacham Park Celebration

his September, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Webster Arts and Springboard (all A&E grantees) will collaborate to tell the story of one of St. Louis’ historic communities through the Meacham Park Celebration. A historically black neighborhood, Meacham Park was once a center of black business and culture but declined in the midto-late 1900s and was annexed by Kirkwood in 1991. Relations between the majority-black Meacham Park and majority-white Kirkwood quickly became strained when much of the low-income housing and businesses were demolished and replaced with a major retail development center. With the Meacham Park Celebration, organizers aim to celebrate the heritage of this marginalized community. The project began last year when Springboard arranged for Nipher Middle School students to interview long-time Meacham Park residents. For many of the students, this was the first time they had heard the residents’ personal stories. “It’s huge what these kids learned,” says Jeane Vogel,

executive director of Webster Arts. “They got a completely different perspective of what it meant to live in a 1950s, 1960s, 1970s almost-segregated St. Louis.” Artwork and performance vignettes inspired by the residents’ stories will be featured in the celebration. Vogel shares her excitement for the project saying, “We have so many different perspectives on how we’re looking at this material, and I think we’ve all learned a tremendous amount.” The Meacham Park Celebration is September 25 at 6:30 p.m. in The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public. To learn more about the Meacham Park Celebration, visit repstl.org/ events

ART AND COMMUNITY:

ragedy struck in February 2017 when local dancer Rain Stippec, 26, was shot in an ambush style attack in Soulard. Since the attack there has been an outpouring of support from her friends, family and members of the local arts community. This September there will be a new festival to support Stippec on her path to recovery called the CommUNITY Arts Festival, presented by Annoyarts at Satori. Paige Walden-Johnson, a friend of Stippec and fellow dancer, is organizing the festival, which includes 14 dance companies, a young artist workshop and a variety of free community workshops, including a Theatre of the Oppressed workshop, which uses theatre exercises to address social justice issues. The festival spans two weekends — September 2 and 9 — with performances at the Grandel and Marcelle Theatres in the Grand Center Arts District and workshops at Webster University and the Satori Theatre, also in Grand Center. 6

MADCO and Big Muddy Dance Company (both A&E grantees) are among the participating dance companies. “It’s important for the dance community to band together to work to defeat violence in our city,” says Stacy West, MADCO executive and artistic director. While the circumstances this year led to a dance-heavy lineup, WaldenJohnson says future years could feature

music, visual art and other art forms. Stippec has been “behind the scenes” on a lot of the planning for this festival and has been making extraordinary progress in her recovery. “She has surpassed every single tier that she needed to achieve so far,” describes Walden-Johnson proudly. But as Walden-Johnson realized early in the planning stages, the festival is “way bigger than Rain. It can really change the community.” For more information on the CommUNITY Arts Festival, visit communityartsfestival.com.

“We will be using art and community organizations to talk about violence in St. Louis and heal. We want to heal and educate the public.” — Paige Walden-Johnson, CommUNITY Arts Festival

Local dancer Rain Stippec, 26, inspired the inaugural CommUNITY Arts Festival to inspire conversation about violence in the city.

Photo by Meagan Leigh Photography.

New festival looks to provide stage for conversations on ending violence

Students create pottery in a summer camp with Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design, an A&E grantee.

GRANTS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT:

2017 Operating Support grantees announced

wenty-two arts organizations,

music education and performance

Dance Education Residency Program

ranging from small, up-and-coming

opportunities to students of all ages

that brings professional dance educa-

arts organizations to large, well-

and abilities. CMS serves the entire St.

tion to under-served middle and high

established institutions, received

Louis metropolitan region and beyond

school dance students with intensive,

Operating Support grants in 2017.

with six satellite locations.

cross-curricular instruction.

Made possible by contributions from

COCA - Center of Creative Arts

Jazz St. Louis presents the interna-

thousands of donors to the Arts and

enriches lives and builds community

tionally acclaimed series, Jazz at the

Education Council’s (A&E) annual fund,

through the arts and is a leader in inno-

Bistro. Education and outreach oppor-

Operating Support grants provide

vative arts education. Each year, COCA

tunities, offered at no cost to schools

unrestricted funding to help strengthen

serves 50,000 people of all ages and

and students, provide performance

infrastructure, build sustainability and

skill levels, from enthusiastic amateurs to

opportunities and introduce young

grow outreach programs. Organizations

emerging professionals—all taught by a

people to jazz through in-school

receiving 2017 Operating Support

faculty of distinguished arts educators.

performances, youth concerts and

grants are (in alphabetical order):

Contemporary Art Museum pres-

Cinema St. Louis showcases the best

ents an annual series of exhibitions and

distance learning activities led by top jazz artists.

in international, documentary and

diverse line-up of public programs that

American independent cinema. Its feature

include artist and curator lectures,

exhibitions, education programs and

event, the St. Louis International Film

art-inspired food tastings, outdoor film

public events for all ages, engaging

Festival, spans 11 days each September.

screenings, family workshops and

diverse audiences in the arts and pro-

social nights for young professionals.

moting cultural understanding through a

Circus Flora produces original works unique in their integration of classic

Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design,

Laumeier Sculpture Park presents

range of contemporary experiences. One

circus traditions, contemporary theater

established in 1964, provides inspira-

of the oldest and largest dedicated

techniques and ensemble cast and

tion and education in contemporary

sculpture parks in the nation, Laumeier

storyline. Its education and outreach

craft to a national community of artists,

is a leader in presenting art that explores

programs cultivate diverse audiences

students and collectors through exhibi-

the complex relationship between

while fostering the development of

tions, classes and free programs.

humans and the natural environment.

young artists and new work. Community Music School of

Dance St. Louis presents perfor-

Metro Theater Company, St. Louis’

mances and educational opportunities

third-oldest professional theater com-

Webster University (CMS), with a history

that make dance accessible to all. Since

pany, produces high-quality artistic

spanning more than 80 years, offers

2007, Dance St. Louis has offered a

(continued on page 8) 7

2017 Operating Support grantees (continued from page 7)

work and education programs serving

catalyze a thriving ecosystem to foster

gram uses art to teach essential life and

young people and families throughout

the growth of fashion and creative

job skills to underserved youth, ages

the region. Arts-integrated classroom

industries in St. Louis.

14-19.

residencies are the backbone of Metro’s

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis pres-

St. Louis Symphony is the second-

programs, which also include commu-

ents Shakespeare and works inspired

oldest orchestra in the country —

nity-based workshops, anti-bullying

by Shakespeare in the schools, in the

founded in 1880. Today it serves

residencies, summer programs and

streets and in the park. The Festival

upward of 260,000 individuals through

high-quality professional development

seeks to better the community, facili-

live performances, including more than

for educators.

tate a diverse conversation and encour-

200,000 patrons who experience

age collaboration across disciplines.

orchestral concerts at Powell Hall.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ (OTSL) annual festival in May and June

Sheldon Concert Hall & Art

STAGES St. Louis is committed to

features America’s finest singers in four

Galleries serves the region with a wide

preserving and advancing the art form

main stage productions as well as a

range of music, visual arts and educa-

of musical theatre through excellence

series of concerts. Recognized for its

tional programs based on quality,

in performance and education. In 2017,

accessibility to new audiences, OTSL

diversity and impact. The Sheldon’s

STAGES celebrates its 31st year of pro-

performs in a famously intimate venue,

education programs introduce young

ducing Broadway-quality theatre.

with all productions performed in

people to music and the visual arts.

English with projected super titles. Radio Arts Foundation (RAF),

Springboard to Learning develops

The St. Louis Children’s Choirs, now in its 39th season, provides young art-

children’s abilities to think critically,

ists the opportunity to achieve musical

founded in 2013, is St. Louis’ only

create, collaborate and communicate. It

excellence and character development

community-supported classical music

is St. Louis’ largest provider of

by participating in world-class perfor-

radio station that promotes the arts. In

in-school, arts-integrated programming

mances. The Choirs perform for the

addition to classical music, RAF plays

and continues to focus on helping

public, tour internationally and serve as

jazz, blues and opera. The station also

under-resourced students.

the official children’s choir of the St.

airs interviews with arts organizations

St. Louis ArtWorks broadens educa-

Louis Symphony. For more information about Operating

and artists, promotes events and broad-

tional and career opportunities for

casts live performances.

youth in the region through paid arts

Support grants, visit KeepArtHappening.org/

apprenticeships and community collab-

GrantPrograms.

Repertory Theatre of St. Louis offers imaginative and professional

orations. The year-round training pro-

theater through its mainstage and Photo courtesy St. Louis Symphony.

studio productions, as well as through its education programs. The Rep is committed to playing a leadership role in expanding public awareness of the essential contribution the arts make to society. Saint Louis Ballet (SLB) is one of the region’s preeminent institutions for the creation and presentation of classical and contemporary ballet. SLB invests in educating both the next generation of dancers and future patrons of the arts through ballet school and introductory public performances. Saint Louis Fashion Fund (SLFF) focuses on bringing the business of fashion back to St. Louis through entrepreneurship-driven, community-building and educational initiatives. Located in St. Louis’ downtown garment district, SLFF strives to build and St. Louis Symphony (an A&E grantee) performs at Powell Hall. 8

WHY I GIVE:

Carol Kaplan-Lyss

eed a refreshing break from your

sat down with the composer, author and

daily routine? Look up “Three

St. Louis native Carol Kaplan-Lyss to

Piggy Opera” on YouTube.

learn more about her dedication to

Since 1987, preschoolers and kindergar-

music and why she has supported the

teners from coast to coast — and as far

Arts and Education Council for nearly

away as Mongolia — have been “oinking”

three decades.

away on stage in what for many is their

first real experience with the arts. We

music within the story,” says Kaplan-

“I like to tell a story and employ

Lyss. That’s why over the last 30 years, Photo courtesy Amazon.

she has written ten operas, known collectively as Milliken Musicals, for preschool and early elementary classrooms.

Carol Kaplan-Lyss

She uses titles that are familiar – like Stone Soup and the Little Red Hen – and weaves into them the components

of opera.

well. She plays accordion and guitar in

Each spring, Kaplan-Lyss organizes a

Music is part of her personal life, as

the Jewish folk music group, Shir Ami,

musical with the parents and children

Hebrew for “song of my people.”

in her parenting workshops at the

Clayton Schools Family Center. In just

University in St. Louis, I was in charge

four days, they learn the music, create

of the Hillel chorus. It was really at the

the scenery, rehearse the show and

time of folk music, so we decided

then perform it — parents and children

instead of just doing choral music, we

together. She says you can see the

would do folk music. And then we just

budding connections between the par-

sort of hit the road with it,” she chuckles.

ents and children as they experience

the operas together.

International Folk Festival that was in

Cover of Three Piggy Opera, Carol KaplanLyss’ first children’s opera published in 1987.

“When I was at Washington

“[Years later], we found that the

Forest Park did not have any group representing Jewish folk music, so that

Photo courtesy Carol Kaplan-Lyss.

was our raison d’etre. Now we perform for community events where they want some kind of cultural representation.”

The group has been together for

43 years, performing songs in Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino. “Imagine how our group has changed in looks,” she laughs.

Throughout all of those years of

writing operas and performing with Shir Ami, Kaplan-Lyss has also been a committed supporter of the Arts and Education Council (A&E).

“I felt this has been an important

part of my life. I know that arts are always looking for some support, plus I liked the bonuses [with the ARTS Card],” she laughs. “I look forward to seeing A&E’s e-mails of current arts events and those that offer discounts or free admission. They’re definitely on my calendar!” Carol Kaplan-Lyss (second from right) with the five other members of Shir Ami, a Jewish folk music group that has performed together for 43 years.

For more information about the ARTS Card, visit KeepArtHappening.org/ARTS-Card. 9

A&E’s Young Friends of the Arts host A Midsummer Night’s Drink

n August 18, more than 60 new and current members of the Arts and Education Council’s (A&E) Young Friends of the Arts gathered at the Centene Center for the Arts for A Midsummer Night’s Drink. The evening

gave attendees an opportunity to connect over crafted cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and to celebrate A&E’s impact in the community.

Teen pianist Royce Martin, a scholarship recipient of A&E’s Art Education Fund

underwritten by Wells Fargo Advisors, took to the stage as did Antionette Carroll and Amanda Wells, winners of A&E’s inaugural stARTup Competition for arts entrepreneurs, in partnership with PNC. A jazz trio from Webster University’s Community Music School (an A&E grantee) also performed.

In-kind support for the event was generously provided by Suede Media,

Planter’s House, Vietnam Style, Major Brands, Terra Firma and Tom James Company. Media sponsor was ALIVE magazine. For more information about Young Friends of the Arts, visit KeepArtHappening.org/ YoungFriends.

RAC seeks input in cultural plan study In June, the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) announced the launch of Evoke, a cultural planning initiative to identify a vision for the future of St. Louis arts and culture.

“We want to help establish a

community-wide vision that promotes collaborations among

people and organizations to help achieve the region’s priorities,” says Felicia Shaw, RAC executive director, in a press release.

The nine-month initiative will

result in a cultural plan for the region informed by community input collected through interviews, focus groups, think-tank sessions and a survey. For more information about the study and how to get involved, visit evoke.racstl.org.

A&E’s Young Friends of the Arts hosted A Midsummer Night’s Drink August 18 at the Centene Center for the Arts.

Circle of Giving

Centene Center for the Arts 3547 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103-1014 p 314.289.4000 f 314.289.4019

June 1 – July 31, 2017 The following donors have made gifts that enable the Arts and Education Council to help preserve St. Louis’s legacy of artistic excellence and enrich its cultural community. A&E appreciates the continued support from these individuals, businesses and organizations. Thank you! $200,000 and above Edward Jones $25,000 - $49,999.99 Ameren Charitable Trust $10,000 - $24,999.99 Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis Mary Ranken Jordan and Ettie A. Jordan Charitable Foundation PNC Foundation $5,000 - $9,999.99 Mrs. Adele B. Dilschneider Mr. Norman L. Eaker Eric P. & Evelyn E. Newman Foundation Mr. Darryl L. Pope Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Voss $2,500 - $4,999.99 Mrs. Kay K. Drey Mr. Mike Isaacson and Mr. Joe Ortmeyer $1,000 - $2,499.99 Nora and Jan Akerberg Mrs. Pamela K. Cavness Mr. Christopher J. Cedergreen Mr. Chris Dornfeld Dr. and Mrs. Tim Eberlein

Forum Studio Inc. John and Dora R. Gianoulakis Mr. Terrance J. Good Myles and Elaine Kelly Mr. and Mrs. David A. Mayo Olin Corporation Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. William C. Rusnack Mr. and Mrs. Philip R. Schwab Dr. and Mrs. Donald M. Senti Mr. and Mrs. Edwin G. Shifrin Ruth and Alvin Siteman Susan and Drexel Stith Mary Strauss Caren Vredenburgh Mrs. Lindsey Wilkins $500 - $999.99 Mr. John F. Arnold and Ms. Ann R. Ruwitch Mr. Jeffrey A. Brown Mr. and Mrs. Francis X. Buckley, Jr. Byerly Trailer Mfg. Co. Inc. Mr. Kenneth M. Dude Ms. Monica Giuseffi Ms. Janette M. Lohman Mr. Richard J. Mark Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Schutte Mr. Larry J. Shroth Tabor Plastics Company Mr. Franklin F. Wallis

To make your gift to the A&E, visit KeepArtHappening.org or contact Kate Francis, Vice President of Development, at (314) 289-4003 or Kate-F@KeepArtHappening.org.

2017 Board of Directors CHAIR Leonard T. Eschbach VICE CHAIR C. Brendan Johnson SECRETARY Peter Sargent TREASURER Ruth Saphian MEMBERS Nora Akerberg Susan Block Sheila Burkett Chris Cedergreen Chris Dornfeld Diane R. Drollinger Terrance J. Good Barbara B. Goodman

Kristin J. Guehlstorf Jason Hall Marcela Manjarrez Hawn Nicole Hudson Eric Koestner Kenneth Kranzberg Linda Lee Janet Newcomb Shawn Schukar Donald M. Senti Mary Ann Srenco Susan A. Stith Andrew Trivers Carol J. Voss Caren Vredenburgh EX-OFFICIO Cynthia A. Prost

2017 Young Friends of the Arts Board of Directors MEMBERS Kate Maxson Danielle Smith

Adam Stanley Vanessa Vasquez Jay Willibrand

Staff PRESIDENT & CEO Cynthia A. Prost

CONTROLLER Joseph Soer

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Susan Rowe Jennings

WORKPLACE GIVING CAMPAIGN MANAGER Heather Edwards

VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Kate Francis

OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATORS Tonya Hahne

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Scott D. Giffen

DATABASE MANAGER Lanisha Thomas

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Emily Hellmuth

COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR Aynsley Hensgen

*Boards and Staff as of August 15, 2017

Tenants of the Centene Center for the Arts Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis African Heritage Association of St. Louis, Inc. African Musical Arts American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Association of American Voices

Bach Society of St. Louis Cinema St. Louis Circus Flora Creative Reaction Lab Equally Represented Arts (ERA) Flow Gateway Men’s Chorus Make Music St. Louis, Inc. Open Studio Network

Prison Performing Arts Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble SPP Productions Belladona Magazine St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association Upstream Theater YoungLiars

Peter H. Bunce* • Ann M. Corrigan Joseph E. Corrigan • Barbara Grace* Karen J. Isbell • James A. Krekeler Glenn Sheffield • Judith Cozad Smith Jane Stamper* Trust • Michael W. Weisbrod David P. Weiss *deceased

Centene Center for the Arts 3547 Olive Street St. Louis, Missouri 63103-1014

Save the Date! Monday, January 22, 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Chase Park Plaza Hotel Presenting Sponsor

Join Co-Chairs Susan Block and John Russell in honoring: Johnetta Haley Music Educator Lifetime Achievement in the Arts

Keith Tyrone Williams Grand Center Arts Academy Art Educator of the Year

Dennis M. Reagan The Muny Lifetime Achievement in the Arts

Art on the Square Arts Collaboration

Gene Dobbs Bradford Jazz St. Louis Excellence in the Arts