Joanne and Alan Kohn have been involved in just about every St. Louis arts venture and organization - including the Arts and Education Council, which they have regularly supported since 1993 and Joanne served on the board in the mid-1990s. Their efforts have helped shape the arts community in St. Louis into the vibrant, nationally recognized scene it is today. Recently, the Kohns opened their art-filled home to Happenings where they shared insights into how the St. Louis arts community has evolved and what has inspired them to give so selflessly over the last six decades.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Joanne met Alan, a University City native, in 1953 when both were studying at Washington University. They married in 1954 and graduated in 1955 before moving to Germany where Alan was stationed for the U.S. Army and Washington, D.C. where he served as a law clerk for the U.S. Supreme Court before returning to St. Louis in 1958.

Today, Joanne serves as chair of the board of the Frank Lloyd Wright House at Ebworth Park in Kirkwood. Alan practices law at Sher Corwin Winters.

On the evolution of the St. Louis arts scene

Joanne: The arts weren’t as bountiful then. There just weren’t as many professional arts organizations. When we first came back to St. Louis in 1958, there was the Symphony, Shaw’s Garden (now the Missouri Botanical Gardens), and the Art Museum, but not much theatre.

Alan: It’s amazing. The arts scene here has really flourished.

On their first taste of the arts

Joanne: I always loved the theatre; it was my main art form.

Alan: As a kid, I was an usher at the MUNY for two years. But even before that, my start in the arts was at Flynn Park [Elementary School]. They took us to see the Symphony every year at Kiel [Opera House].

On introducing younger generations

Joanne: When our sons were young, I wanted them to have art classes, but this was before there were many professional arts organizations. So I used to open our basement in University City and hired an artist to teach the neighborhood kids. After a few years, a neighbor took it into her home until Craft Alliance was started and we handed over to them all the students’ names.

Now one of our sons is a sculptor and art teacher in Pasadena [California] and another pursued an acting career. Our grandchildren are now performing as the leads in their school plays. There must be something in our DNA.

On the leadership of A&E

Joanne: I was there at the beginning of many of the organizations here and the establishment of A&E was very important in that mix. From the very beginning, A&E has attracted very strong leaders in the community. I served on the board [of A&E] in the mid-90s. We attracted people in the business world and volunteer world in St. Louis. A&E has earned community trust.

On the impact of A&E

Joanne: In 1966, I was called to serve on a support group for the newly formed Repertory Theatre. Initially, there wasn’t much fundraising so it was struggling until 1971 when we got funding from the Arts and Education Council. That funding from A&E gave us credibility. That’s what A&E stands for - community support.

On the arts in St. Louis

Alan: What’s nice about St. Louis is you can be in a lot of different arts organizations. You don’t get that opportunity in bigger cities like New York or Chicago. Here, everything’s only 20 minutes away.

Joanne: The only thing that limits you is time and money.

On March 23, Joanne was recognized with a Distinguished Alumni Award at Washington University for her significant contributions to the community. A&E is incredibly grateful for the tireless support of the arts the Kohns have shown St. Louis over the last sixty years. For more about how to make your impact, click here.