The Arts and Education Council announced today $495,500 in Operating Support Grants for 20 arts organizations across the bi-state region. The grants, made possible by contributions from thousands of individual, corporate and foundation donors, are part of the $1.7 million the Arts and Education Council invests in the community each year.

The Arts and Education Council offers a variety of grants and programs. Aside from operating support grants, the organization also offers program grants, grants for rural arts organizations and new arts programs, as well as grants for teachers who want to bring art education into their classroom.

Operating Support Grants provide ongoing, unrestricted support to arts organizations whose programming supports the goal of the Arts and Education Council to drive community impact by promoting the Elements of a Vibrant Community. The Elements, as defined by the Arts and Education Council, are: the arts’ ability to inspire kids and engage minds, build innovation and creativity, energize communities and forge connections, bridge cultural divides and enrich lives.

The 2019-2020 Operating Support Grant recipients are (in alphabetical order):

  • Cinema St. Louis
  • Classic 107.3 (Radio Arts Foundation)
  • COCA
  • Community Music School of Webster University
  • Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
  • Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design
  • Jazz St. Louis
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park
  • Metro Theater Company
  • Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
  • The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
  • Saint Louis Ballet Company
  • Saint Louis Fashion Fund
  • Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
  • Sheldon Arts Foundation
  • Springboard to Learning
  • St. Louis ArtWorks
  • The St. Louis Children’s Choirs
  • St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
  • STAGES St. Louis

“We take very seriously our responsibility to invest our donors’ contributions in arts organizations and programs that will keep art happening across the bi-state area. These grantees are doing exceptional work to enhance the quality of life in our region through their exhibitions, performances and programs and we are proud to support them,” said Cynthia A. Prost, Arts and Education Council president and CEO.

Grant applications were reviewed by a volunteer panel from the Arts and Education Council board of directors and evaluated based on community impact, particularly how the organization supports the goals of the Elements of a Vibrant Community, and organizational capacity to drive sustained impact in the community.

These organizations are among more than 70 organizations across the bi-state region that benefit from Arts and Education Council grants and programs.

Your gift to the Arts and Education Council pools together with thousands of others to make grants and programs like this possible. Keep art happening with a gift today.

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