January-February 2017 Happenings

JAN-FEB JAN FEB 2017 17

The Arts Live Here!

A&E’S CENTENE CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1

Letter from the President Greetings, Friends!

Welcome to 2017! I hope this note finds you doing well and having enjoyed a festive holiday season. This year is going to be an exciting one for the Arts and Education Council as we continue — with your generous support — to expand our impact on arts and arts education organizations of all sizes.

This issue of Happenings features A&E’s Centene Center for the Arts, our arts incubator which is celebrating over 10 years of serving and accelerating arts organizations. A&E’s Centene Center was one of the very first arts incubators in St. Louis and recently several of our early tenants have grown out of their administrative “nests.” Organizations like Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis ArtWorks and Dance St. Louis have grown into new facilities, forged new partnerships and expanded their programming due to the foundations they built while in the Centene Center. And with their departure and growth, A&E is welcoming a new generation of arts organizations into the Centene Center. On these pages we are pleased to introduce several of them to you: Make Music St. Louis, Creative Reaction Lab, Association of American Voices, and African Heritage Association of St. Louis. And there are a few more organizations moving in at press time that we’ll be thrilled to introduce you to in the next issue.

And while buildings are built of static bricks and mortar, they are still living, breathing entities. The communication and collaboration needs of arts organizations continue to change as rapidly as any other business; therefore, A&E remains committed to ensuring our tenants have access to 21st century tools and training.

With another generous lead gift from the Centene Charitable Foundation and Centene Corporation, A&E will renovate the first floor lobby and administrative spaces to become the “Catalyst Innovation Lab.” The Lab will serve as an idea-sharing and collaborative space which, while still confined by physical walls, will allow arts organizations, administrators and the community to think “outside the box” when it comes to expanding the arts and culture industry’s impact on our community.

Your support for the Arts and Education Council helps make these opportunities for arts organizations to grow and evolve possible! Thank you for your generosity and I hope you feel a sense of pride as you read more about the powerful outcomes of your giving to A&E in this issue.

When the arts thrive, our city thrives!

Sincerely,

Cynthia A. Prost President and CEO ON THE COVER: An artistic rendering of the Centene Center for the Arts designed by Switch and featured in A&E’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at the 2013 St. Louis Arts Awards. Photo courtesy of Switch (theswitch.com).

P.S. Haven’t renewed or made your gift to A&E? Want to see maximum impact and return for your charitable investment in the arts? You can make your gift safely and securely at KeepArtHappening.org/Give.

Centene Center 8 Accelerating Access 3 for 10 the Arts: the Arts: the Arts: New Tenant Profiles 2

Catalyst Innovation Lab

Know & Go Calendar

Support: 15 Corporate Edward Jones Donates $976,000

CENTENE CENTER FOR THE ARTS:

Empowering the Next Generation of Arts Organizations he Centene Center for the

T

later years, the structure served as

Arts is a dynamic, vibrant arts

home to the International Machinists

accelerator in the heart of

Union and the Medinah Temple.

the Arts and Education Council, the

Council had a vision to create an arts

Centene Center is home to 19 arts and

accelerator. Working with Grand

nonprofit organizations.

Center, the City of St. Louis, and Owen

Grand Center. Owned and operated by

Centene Center tenants receive

In 2003, the Arts and Education

Development, A&E renovated the his-

administrative office spaces at below-

toric building using both public and pri-

market rates. In addition, the Center

vate funds; including a lead gift from

also offers tenants access and use of

the Centene Charitable Foundation.

the Arthur and Helen Baer Visual Arts

Many of the original architectural fea-

Galleries plus event, rehearsal and per-

tures were preserved and after 20

formance spaces at no additional cost.

years without occupancy, the Centene

“The Centene Center is a key component of A&E’s mission to empower established and emerging arts organi-

Center for the Arts opened in 2006 as the home for the arts that it is today.

Three of the Center’s first tenants

zations to apply more of their resources

were Dance St. Louis, Jazz St. Louis,

to expanding and enriching their artistic

and St. Louis ArtWorks. Each of these

and education programming efforts;

organizations incubated at the Centene

thereby expanding their reach and mak-

Center for ten years and each subse-

ing a greater impact in our community,”

quently accelerated out of the Center

said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E President

into their own or new, expanded

and CEO.

spaces. Notably, ArtWorks purchased a

The Centene Center for the Arts

1907 photo when Knights of Columbus owned the building.

building on Delmar Boulevard to

The Centene Center for the Arts today.

for Jazz and has garnered nationwide acclaim for its cutting-edge approach

began its life in the late 1880s as a

accommodate its growing summer art

dance studio. In 1906 additional frontage

programs for high schools students;

was deeded and in 1907 Archbishop

while Jazz St. Louis not only purchased

John J. Glennon dedicated the building

its performance venue, the Ferring Jazz

as the new home of the Knights of

Bistro, but also purchased an adjacent

Columbus. The architectural master-

building to build the Centene Jazz

piece, designed by Baker and Knell,

Education Center. Together, Jazz St.

would become the showpiece for the

Louis’s new complex is referred to as

Centene Center and its tenants, visit

Knights of Columbus for decades. In

the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center

KeepArtHappening.org/centene-center.

to jazz performance and education.

Current Centene Center tenants range from performing and visual arts organizations to social justice nonprofits.

You will find profiles of some of A&E’s newest tenants in the following pages.

For more information about the

CENTENE CENTER TENANTS

3

NEW TENANT PROFILE:

Make Music St. Louis

I

n 2016, St. Louis joined over 700 cities worldwide in its first official Make Music Day. Held each year on

the Summer Solstice, Make Music Day is a citywide celebration open to anyone who wants to share their music with the community. A&E is proud to welcome Make Music Day’s parent organization, Make Music St. Louis, as one of the newest tenants in the Centene Center for the Arts.

Happenings sat down with the co-founding and managing directors, Nika Leoni and Kathy Favazza, to learn more about Make Music Day and plans for the 2017 event.

Tell me about Make Music Day. Nika Leoni: Make Music Day is a world-

A Make Music Day piano on the sidewalk invites anyone to play, create and socialize.

wide holiday. It started in Paris, France in 1982 when government officials decided to make it a citywide holiday.

Make Music Day. We started seriously

They announced that all musicians

working on establishing the event

could come out and play wherever they

[here] back in February 2016.

want – they blocked the streets, they

KF: Out of that [one event] was born

blocked the traffic, they blocked the

Make Music St. Louis, because we had

space for performers – and people

this amazing day with over 50 performers

loved it so much that they started

and 17 performances with just over a

doing it annually. The event grew and

couple months of operation. That

Make Music Day started spreading all

response was amazing! We started asking

over Europe. Nine years ago it came to

“What else can we do?” So Make Music

New York City. Our friends at Make

St. Louis developed as an umbrella

Music New York started a U.S.-based

organization for Make Music Day.

Make Music Day Alliance and started

NL: And to specify on Make Music

A Make Music Day piano on the St. Louis riverfront.

How do musicians register for the

recruiting cities around the United

Day itself, it’s a music festival; it’s a day

event?

States to participate. Today, 35 cities in

of celebrating music. It’s open to the public, it’s free to the participants and

NL: All they have to do is go to our

the U.S. participate along with over 700 cities worldwide.

the audiences, and it’s all-inclusive. All

Kathy Favazza: And believe it or not, St. Louis didn’t have it until last year.

they have to do is register with us, and we help them match their performances with venues. In addition, any-

How did Make Music Day St. Louis get

body can organize performances wher-

its start?

ever they like — in their backyards, on

NL: I moved [to St. Louis] two and a

sidewalks, in their living room, in parks.

half years ago from New York City where

KF: So then we thought that we should

website, click on the registration button, and create an account. Then we will match them with an available venue.

The Make Music Alliance recommends setting the deadline at least three weeks before the event date (June 21, 2017).

We recommend registering earlier. A lot of our artists who registered in 2016 didn’t get the chance to play because

I was part of Make Music New York. I

bring performances and educational

knew nothing about St. Louis before [I

opportunities throughout the year. In fact,

moved here], and it is such a cultural,

we’ve already had Metropolitan Opera

vibrant city. I asked Kathy if she had

artists from New York come to perform

heard of Make Music and I said “We

in St. Louis. We also had one of the

June 21. For more information about Make

have to do it here!” St. Louis has so

performers conduct a master class for

Music Day and Make Music St. Louis, visit

many festivals, but you have not had

young opera singers in our community.

makemusicstl.org.

4

the venues were already booked.

KF: So the sooner you register, the better!

Make Music Day 2017 will be held on

Photo courtesy Creative Reaction Lab

NEW TENANT PROFILE:

Creative Reaction Lab

O

ne of the newest tenants in

Carroll believes that being a tenant

the Centene Center for the

in the Centene Center gives CRX

Arts is Creative Reaction Lab

(CRX Lab), a social justice nonprofit that educates, convenes, and supports individuals looking to better their communities through creative problem solving. Happenings recently sat down with CRX Lab president, CEO, and founder, Antionette D. Carroll, to catch up and learn where the organization is headed.

CRX Lab began in 2014 as a response

Lab an opportunity to get traditional artists and organizations to think about how social justice can be incorporated into their work.

“I want to challenge their thinking,” Carroll said. “I want them to think about how we can use art and design for good.”

— Antionette D. Carroll, CRX Lab President and CEO

Antionette Carroll

to the social unrest in Ferguson. The first lab was a 24-hour event in which designers came up with solutions to

to weekend-long labs focused on

the unrest through such projects as

building empathy, co-creation, proto-

ways to build community and give the

civic matchmaking websites and partic-

type testing and business plan devel-

creative sector a seat at the table of

ipatory public art.

opment, CRX Lab works closely with

these larger community conversations.

Staff members are on the ground talking to residents about what changes they want to see in the community.

each participant and builds community among them.

As a St. Louis native, Carroll hasn’t

CRX Lab is constantly looking for

“We use arts and design to bring community members together,” Carroll continued. “The creative sector is often

Topics have included police brutality,

been surprised by the topics on the

left out of conversations about social

gun violence, domestic violence, the

community’s mind like opportunity gaps

justice, but we’re the experts in build-

school-to-prison pipeline, and bullying,

and transportation issues. What has

ing connections and human empathy.”

among others.

surprised her, though, is how the data

“For us, it’s about moving ideas about racial inequities into action,” Carroll explained.

CRX Lab then takes these topics

supports these community concerns.

“When you look at the data and see the life disparities between white Americans and black Americans,” Carroll

In May 2016, CRX Lab moved into the Centene Center for the Arts from their previous home at CIC St. Louis, a coworking space in the Central West End. “I wanted to be a part of the Centene

and designs a diverse curriculum to

said, “you realize our institutions and

Center because design is where we

empower communities to resolve these

policies support this divide. That

started and it’s embedded in what we

issues. From toolkits and skills training

surprised me.”

do,” Carroll said.

In 2017, CRX Lab will scale their pro-

Photo courtesy Creative Reaction Lab

gramming nationally — first to Boston and Miami — similar to how TEDx and Creative Mornings have expanded.

They have also added two national board members as they work to encourage other communities to follow this model for civic engagement.

“My hope is that by the end of 2018, we can bring communities from around the country here to the Centene Center so they can inspire and collaborate with each other,” Carroll said.

For more on Creative Reaction Lab, visit creativereactionlab.com and subscribe to their newsletter. You can also find them on Twitter @CreativeRxLab. CRX Lab exercise.

5

NEW TENANT PROFILE:

local musicians, lectures, demonstra-

Association of American Voices

tions, workshops and jam sessions.

“I recently traveled with a punk rock group,” Volkmar explains. “They started

W

in Los Angeles, flew to Washington,

elcome American Voices

“Music truly is a common language

(AV), one of the newest

that connects all of us. While we

D.C. for orientation, then went on tour

tenants at the Centene

don’t speak the same language we

to Bulgaria, Belarus, Latvia, Azerbaijan,

Center for the Arts. This St. Louisbased nonprofit works with aspiring artists in developing nations by helping them hone their skills and broaden their passion for various American art forms, including jazz, hip-hop, Broadway performance and classical music.

Originally begun in 1993 by John Ferguson, a classical pianist from Texas

can feel the emotions of the songs.

It’s pretty impactful to see these youngsters come into a show or training and open up. It’s a safe

and the country of Georgia before heading back to D.C. for de-briefing and home to L.A.” During the summer months, American Voices’ Youth Excellence on Stage (YES)

and secure spot for them to escape

Academy brings teachers and volun-

reality for a few hours.”

teers from the United States who are

— Jason Volkmar, AV Director of Communications

proficient in American genres of music, dance and theater to conduct performance and professional training in

who now serves as artistic director, American Voices has been conducting

Cultural Affairs. Currently, American

countries throughout the Middle East and

a variety of teaching and high-quality

Voices is accepting applications

Asia. Nikki Snelson, a native St. Louisan

cultural programming with audiences in

(through January 27) for its 2017-18

who appeared in the original Broadway

nearly 150 nations on five continents. In

program, which will begin in September

production of “Legally Blonde: The

doing so, AV has reached thousands of

and run through May 2018. Volkmar

Musical,” was among the instructors in

people with classes and performances

says that last year, more than 350

Jakarta, Indonesia, teaching young

who otherwise would likely have no

American-based bands of all genres —

people from Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos,

exposure to arts curriculum or access

including blues, bluegrass, country, folk,

Vietnam and other Association of

to trained teachers.

pop, Latin, Native American, gospel,

Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

hip-hop, indie rock, jazz, punk, and

about musical theater. Attendees of the

served 500 youth overseas with our

zydeco — applied for the 2016-17 pro-

YES Academy are between the ages of

Youth Excellence on Stage (YES)

gram. Forty-five of these bands were

five and 20. “That’s the coolest part of

Academy Programs and we will visit

selected to audition live for a panel of

this job – seeing different cultures and

45 countries with our American Music

judges, of which ten were eventually

the impact the program has on youth,”

Abroad Program touring with 10 different

chosen for the program. In cooperation

said Volkmar, who joined American

U.S. bands,” explains Jacob Volkmar,

with the State Department and American

Voices two years ago.

AV’s director of communications.

embassies in the visiting countries,

“This year alone (2016), we will have

Six staff members, including

American Voices arranges a series of

Volkmar, work out of A&E’s Centene

prestigious American Music Abroad

month-long cultural exchange programs

Center for the Arts while one staff

Program for the U.S. Department of

for these bands, which feature public

member is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

State’s Bureau of Educational and

concerts, interactive performances with

Artist QVLN (l) holding a custom-made violin with its crafter (r) in Venezuela.

Guitarist Susan McDonald teaching the youth guitar program at the YES Academy-Lebanon in Beirut, Lebanon.

American Voices administers the

6

American Voices also partners with

Saint Louis University to sponsor two students at SLU who have attended YES Academy. These students receive a one-year scholarship, covering full tuition, housing and meals.

“We had one student, Karam, who was in a very bad situation in Syria,” Volkmar recalls. “He taught himself how to play piano through YouTube.

Then he heard about YES Academy and attended in Lebanon.

“After attending for two years, we invited him to come to the States. He’s currently living in St. Louis studying music at SLU.” Given that American Voices is a worldwide operation with connections to the U.S. State Department, it may be unexpected that its offices would be centered in St. Louis. “We previously had an office in Washington, D.C. but the majority of our board is based in St. Louis and the giving community here is one of the best in the country,” explains Volkmar, adding that American Voices has a budget of just over $2 million culled from grants and donations. “This year we want to expand our presence in our own backyard and do more community outreach and events to educate the St. Louis public about us.”

For more information about American Voices, visit americanvoices.org.

Learn more about the Centene Center for the Arts!

Visit KeepArtHappening.org/ Centene-Center

NEW TENANT PROFILE:

African Heritage Association of St. Louis

L

ast year was a banner year for the African Heritage Association of St. Louis (AHA) which hosted

its 25th annual African Heritage Festival in the spring of 2016. In addition to this monumental achievement, AHA has something else to celebrate: its new home in the Centene Center for the Arts. Happenings sat down with

has a village feeling. Even as it’s

chairwoman Cynthia Cosby and board

grown, we try to keep that feeling -

chairman Gerald Brooks to discuss the

you hear it, you see it, you smell it.”

history of AHA and its future.

— Gerald Brooks, AHA Board Chair

The idea for the African Heritage Festival came almost 30 years ago

Forest Park. Despite the challenges

when Cosby visited the first National

presented by the elements at this out-

Black Arts Festival in Atlanta in 1988.

door location, vendors and patrons

Inspired by the success and impact of

alike have strongly supported the

this annual festival, Cosby thought,

move. Each year, the Festival features

“There should be something like this in

an African marketplace, food court,

St. Louis!” After attending her second

performing arts stage, and a children’s

National Black Arts Festival in 1990,

village.

Cosby returned to St. Louis and pro-

In addition to providing fami-

posed the idea for a St. Louis-based

ly-friendly entertainment, AHA’s main

festival to her program director at

objective is to educate the St. Louis

Washington University. Within 24

community on Africa’s rich cultural his-

hours, Cosby had approval and began

tory. Looking ahead, African Heritage

her work to establish the Festival.

Association hopes to extend its educa-

Conveniently enough, the African Studies

tional arm through classes and work-

Association was holding their national

shops throughout the year.

conference in St. Louis that same year.

As for their new administrative home

Cosby jumped on the opportunity and

in A&E’s Centene Center for the Arts,

planned the first African Heritage

Cosby and Brooks couldn’t be happier.

Festival for the same weekend as the

“The atrium, the outdoor space, the

African Studies conference.

conference room; those amenities are

With the help of Washington

priceless,” Cosby raves. On top of all

University, the Regional Arts

the Centene Center amenities African

Commission and the Mid-America Arts

Heritage Association has access to,

Alliance, AHA hosted the inaugural

Brown’s favorite aspect is that the

African Arts Festival at the Sheldon

Center “puts AHA in the heart of the

Concert Hall and Art Galleries (an A&E

arts, arts education and entertainment.”

grantee). Following the incredible

A&E welcomes this wonderful orga-

response from the St. Louis community,

nization to the Centene Center and is

Cosby and her team decided to make

excited to see what AHA will achieve in

the Festival an annual installation in the

the future.

St. Louis arts and culture community.

Due to tremendous growth, the AHA Dr. Reuben Blundell of Hunter College conducting a YES Academy-Erbil advanced youth orchestra in Erbil, Iraq.

“We love the fact that the Festival

moved the Festival to its permanent

For more information on the African Heritage Association and the African Arts Festival, visit stlafricanartsfest.com.

location at the World’s Fair Pavilion in 7

CENTENE CENTER FOR THE ARTS:

A&E to Build Catalyst Innovation Lab for the Arts in 2017

T

he Centene Center for the Arts opened in 2006 as the region’s first arts incubator with 18 ten-

ants. Over a decade later, A&E and the Centene Center continue to incubate and accelerate 19 arts and arts education organizations of varying budget sizes, programming longevity and genres. In addition to providing administrative spaces at below-market cost, A&E’s Centene Center also provides tenants with the invaluable benefits of rehearsal, event and performance spaces at no additional cost. A&E also provides critical technological

A ‘before’ photo of the space that will become the Catalyst Innovation Lab.

infrastructure like fiber optic internet services and server capacity to tenants.

And now, inspired by the new ways in which arts organizations go about

“The Lab will serve as an idea-

have access to 21st century tools and

their work and driven by a community

sharing and collaborative space

training at the Centene Center for the

in transition, the Arts and Education

which, while still confined by

Council will build within the Centene

physical walls, will allow arts

Center a place for gathering, collaboration, learning and exchange of ideas — the Catalyst Innovation Lab. The Lab will become reality thanks to an extraordinary $250,000 grant from the Centene Charitable Foundation and Centene Corporation to fund the reno-

organizations, administrators and the community to think “outside the box” when it comes to expanding the arts and culture industry’s

Arts and in the Catalyst Innovation Lab.” Construction on the Catalyst Innovation Lab is scheduled to begin in early 2017 and continue through the fall. Look for an update on our progress in the Mar-Apr issue of Happenings.

impact on our community.”

— Cynthia A. Prost, A&E president and CEO

vation, furnishing and initial program-

The Catalyst Innovation Lab is made possible through

ming within the 1,900-square-foot Lab. The Catalyst Innovation Lab will be

to accommodate broad programming

located on the first floor of A&E’s

needs — from traditional board room

Centene Center for the Arts. Street-

settings to lecture styles to fully free-

level presence for the Lab ensures

form interaction space. A&E’s program

accessibility and visibility for this

goals for the space include creating

unique space. The lobby of the building

opportunities for cross-sector engage-

that includes the Arthur & Helen Baer

ment (i.e. business and arts or technol-

Charitable Foundation Galleries will

ogy and arts) with speakers and activi-

also be renovated allowing for greater

ties that invite conversations and forge

use of the visual art display space and

understanding between sectors as well

an additional gathering space for Lab

as expanded professional development

attendees and participants. Architectural

training and capacity-building exercises.

firm, HOK, provided the initial plans,

“As communication and collaboration

renderings and design services to A&E

needs of arts organizations continue to

at no cost.

evolve as rapidly as any other industry,”

The Lab will include modular furni-

said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E President

ture and mobile walls allowing the

and CEO, “A&E stands ready and com-

space to be configured in multiple ways

mitted to ensuring arts organizations

8

Lead Support from

Design Support from

HOK rendering.

HOK space and use plan.

9

Umbria, S.F. Jazz and North Sea jazz festivals as well as at such hallowed clubs as New York’s Village Vanguard. 314.533.9900 or TheSheldon.org

NEW JEWISH THEATRE Intimate Apparel WHEN: Jan 26-Feb 12, Wed-Thur, 7:30 pm;

JAN-FEB 2017 Enjoy 2-for-1 admission and special discounts!

ONGOING DISCOUNTS WITH THE ARTS CARD

to a stunning conclusion with Dvorˇák’s beloved New World Symphony, an audience favorite for its musical depiction of the American spirit.

314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

JAZZ AT THE BISTRO Offers 2-for-1 admission to its 9:30 pm shows Wed-Thur. For details call 314.571.6000 or go to jazzstl.org

JANUARY EVENTS REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS All My Sons WHEN: Jan 4-29; Tues, 7 pm; Wed, selected 1:30 & 8 pm; Thurs-Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 5 pm; Sun, 2 pm, selected Sun, 7 pm WHERE: Browning Mainstage at the Loretto Hilton Theatre, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves

SHELDON CONCERT HALL Anat Cohen Quartet

WHEN: Jan 14; Wed, 8 pm

Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm (also at 7:30 on Jan 29) WHERE: Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Dr., Creve Coeur COST: $39.50-$43.50; $15 students DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 with ARTS Card (discount not available online) A forbidden relationship is explored when Esther, a lonely black seamstress in 1905 New York, who sews intimate apparel for clients, longs for the Hasidic shopkeeper from whom she buys cloth, and he for her. 314.442.3283 or newjewishtheatre.org

MUSTARD SEED THEATRE Yasmina’s Necklace

WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd, St. Louis

WHEN: Jan 27-Feb 12; Thur-Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 2 pm

COST: $40 orchestra, $25-30 balcony

WHERE: Fontbonne University Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd., Clayton

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with the ARTS Card on full price tickets only (Tickets are available by presenting the card in advance at the Fox Theatre Box office at 531 N. Grand, or on the night of show at The Sheldon Box Office between 7-8 pm) Voted “Clarinetist of the Year” eight years in a row by the Jazz Journalists Association, Cohen and her quartet have headlined at the Newport,

COST: $35; $30 for students and seniors DISCOUNT: $10 off with ARTS Card Fresh from its sold-out world premiere in Chicago, Yasmina’s Necklace is an unlikely romance between Yasmina, a recent immigrant from Iraq and Abdul Samee, who wants to change his name to Sam and turn his back on his Iraqi and Puerto Rican heritage. 314.719.8060 or mustardseetheatre.com

COST: $17.50-$80 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with the ARTS Card Jan 4-13 During World War II, factory owner Joe Keller makes a questionable business decision that costs the lives of American airmen overseas, leaving his family fractured as they grapple with the consequences of his actions.

314.968.4925 or repstl.org

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY New World Symphony

WHEN: Jan 13 & 15; Fri, 8 pm, Sun 3 pm WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd, St. Louis COST: $31.50-$111 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card (at box office window, excludes box seats) “The outstanding American violinist of his generation” (Time), Gil Shaham performs Korngold’s Violin Concerto. The concert comes

Events Key 10

Cinema

Classical

Anat Cohen, jazz clarinetist, appears Jan. 14 at the Sheldon.

Dance

Jazz

Music

Speaker

Theater

Visual Arts

master, pianist Lindsay Garritson perform the music of Kreisler, Faure and Ravel. 314.533.9900 or TheSheldon.org

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY Beethoven 7

WHEN: Jan 27 & 29; Fri, 8 pm, Sun 3 pm

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY Belshazzar’s Feast

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd, St. Louis COST: $31.50-$111

WHEN: Feb 24; Fri, 8 pm

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card (at box office window, excludes box seats)

WHERE: Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd, St. Louis

Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony has long been adored for its hypnotic pulsing, triumphant fury and its pioneering use of rhythm.314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

COCA FAMILY THEATRE Momentum

COST: $31.50-$111 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card (at box office window, excludes box seats)

The Rep performs the literary classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Feb 8 – Mar 5.

With rich orchestration, pulsing rhythms and exuberant marches, Belshazzar’s Feast will transport you to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. 314.534.1700 or stlsymphony.org

WHEN: Jan 28 & 29; Sat & Sun, 1 & 5 pm WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City COST: $14-$18 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with the ARTS Card for 1 pm Sat show only Members of COCA Dance and the COCA HipHop Crew will leave you breathless after this high-energy performance in honor of COCA’s 30th Anniversary. 314.561.4877 or cocastl.org

SAINT LOUIS GUITAR SOCIETY Guitar Duo Noire

WHEN: Jan 28, Sat, 8 pm WHERE: The Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, Ladue

SHELDON CONCERT HALL Erin Schreiber & Lindsay Garritson

COCA FAMILY THEATRE Elephant and Piggie: We are in a Play

WHEN: Feb 25-26; Sat & Sun 1 & 5 pm WHEN: Feb 17; Fri, 8 pm

WHERE: 524 Trinity Ave., University City

WHERE: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd, St. Louis

COST: $10-$14

COST: $30 orchestra, $15-25 balcony

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with the ARTS Card for 1 pm Sat show only

DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with the ARTS Card on full price tickets only (Tickets are available by presenting the card in advance at the Fox Theatre Box office at 531 N. Grand, or on the night of show at The Sheldon Box Office between 7-8 pm)

Elephant Gerald and Piggie sing and dance their way through solutions to fundamental questions like: What do you wear to a fancy pool costume party? Should you share your ice cream?

And how can two friends play with one toy?

314.561.4877 or cocastl.org

Symphony violinist Erin Schreiber and former St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra concert-

COST: $24-$28 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with ARTS Card Prize-winning classical guitar duo returns to St. Louis for the fourth time in an engaging program of favorites old and new. 314-229-8686 or guitarstlouis.net

FEBRUARY EVENTS REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS To Kill A Mockingbird WHEN: Feb 8-Mar 5; Tues, 7 pm; Wed-Fri, 8 pm; selected Wed, 1:30 pm; Sat, 5 pm; Sun, 2 & selected 7 pm WHERE: Browning Mainstage at the Loretto Hilton Theatre, 130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves COST: $17.50-$80 DISCOUNT: 2-for-1 admission with the ARTS Card Feb 8-17 Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a beloved tale of the power of empathy and the struggle for justice that still resonates today.

314.968.4925 or repstl.org

COCA’s Family Theatre features “Elephant and Piggie” Feb 25 & 26.

11

GRANTEE FEATURE:

St. Louis Symphony Gets Hip with Nelly

T

hey may seem like a musical odd couple, but GRAMMY Awardwinning rapper and St. Louis

native, Nelly, and St. Louis Symphony (an A&E grantee) Conductor David Robertson are teaming up for a onenight only show at Powell Hall February 3 entitled “A Night of Symphonic Hip-Hop.” “The idea originated with David Robertson and our team some years ago

“Our commitment to the community is quite serious and it’s one that we are extraordinarily proud of.

Our core mission is classical music but we are very fortunate to have such a talented orchestra who truly embraces all audiences of St. Louis and understands the need to be more accessible to those who may not be familiar with

as they were thinking about how to

symphonic music.”

expand programming to present our

— Marie-Hélène Bernard,

great orchestra to a wider audience,”

St. Louis Symphony president and CEO

explained Symphony president and CEO,

Marie-Hélène Bernard

was last year’s multimedia concert,

Marie-Hélène Bernard. “(Robertson)

subsidized some cost so that “several

“Legends of Zelda: Symphony of the

thought about working with Nelly for a

hundred people who couldn’t other-

Goddesses-Master Quest,” based on

long time but with entertainers’ busy

wise afford it” will be able to go.

music from “The Legend of Zelda”

schedules, it took a while to nail down a date.”

Bernard says, like Robertson, Nelly

She also says that while the Nelly show is different from anything else the

video game franchise.

Bernard says that a lot of Nelly’s

Symphony has done before, it has —

music has classical music inspiration.

is more than a little excited about the

and will continue — to stretch itself in

“He, too, is interested in expanding his

show. Nelly performed with both the

new directions. She points out that pop

own horizons; so it’s not just the

Columbus Symphony Orchestra and

artists such as Ben Folds, symphonic

Symphony dabbling into other types of

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra last

tributes to the music of Prince and

music but also artists wanting to work

summer, “but being able to perform

Queen, and concerts inspired by

with us because they feel enriched.

with his hometown symphony is some-

Disney musicals and “Harry Potter” have

“It’s a win-win artistically,” Bernard adds.

thing he told us is really quite thrilling.”

attracted hundreds of youngsters and

Bernard stresses that the orchestra

Tickets to the show sold out in a few days and Bernard says various sponsors

their families to Powell Hall. One of the

doesn’t take on a project without ensur-

most successful programs, she notes,

ing it is something the musicians will embrace. “When our musicians play to a full house, whether it’s a program of

Photo credit: Courtesy, Custom

classical music or Nelly and hip-hop or a “Harry Potter” movie, they are playing to an audience where there is great joy and validation.”

And while Bernard admits the need to grow a younger audience is “crucial,” she says she is just as thrilled to see an 85 year old come to Powell Hall on a regular basis as she is an 18 or 25 year old.

“All audiences are important,” Bernard said. “We want everyone to know that no matter where you are in your life cycle, never forget that the Symphony is here for you.

“We want to ensure that we have programming for everyone,” she adds.

“That’s quite a challenge, but it’s also quite an opportunity.”

To learn more about the St. Louis Nelly 12

Symphony, visit stlsymphony.org.

2017 ST. LOUIS ARTS AWARDS:

Entertainment Line-Up

T

he dazzling lights of Broadway will shine brightly when Broadway stars Taylor Louderman and Ken

Page perform as part of the star-studded entertainment line-up at the 26th annual St. Louis Arts Awards, on Monday, Mr. Martin, who started playing the

January 23 at the Chase Park Plaza.

Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black

piano just two years ago, received his

revival of “Guys and Dolls” for which he

as emcee of the area’s preeminent

instrument from Pianos for People

received the Theatre World Award.

event that salutes individuals, busi-

(Arts Innovator honoree), an organiza-

Other Broadway and New York stage

nesses and organizations that achieve a

tion that connects unwanted pianos to

credits include the Tony Award-winning

legacy of artistic excellence and enrich

individuals and families who could not

musicals “Cats” (starring as Old

the city’s arts and culture community.

otherwise afford one. The Grand Center

Deuteronomy in the original Broadway

The North County Big Band will also

Arts Academy student initially taught

and film productions), “Ain’t Misbehavin,”

perform under the direction of Riverview

himself by listening to songs on the

“The Wiz” (Lion), and “The Wizard of

Gardens Band Director Harvey Lockhart,

radio and watching the hand move-

Oz” (Cowardly Lion). Film credits include

this year’s Art Educator of the Year

ments of classical pianists on YouTube.

“Dreamgirls” (Max Washington), “Torch

honoree. The band’s pianist, Royce

He entered the 2016 Teen Talent

Song Trilogy” (Murray), and “All Dogs

Martin, winner of the 2016 St. Louis

Competition because he thought it

Go to Heaven” (voice of King Gator).

Teen Talent Competition and a junior

would be a great opportunity to play at

at Grand Center Arts Academy, will

the Fabulous Fox Theater. Playing an

Awards support the Arts and Education

also perform.

original piece he composed titled

Council’s annual campaign which pro-

“Safari Nzuri,” Martin not only took

vides funding, professional development

debut as Margot in “Legally Blonde” at

first-place honors, he also won the Voss

and incubation services to nearly 70

The Muny, and her Broadway debut as

Family Originality Award, the Terry

arts and arts education organizations

head cheerleader Campbell in “Bring It

Lynford Classical Music Award and the

throughout the bi-state region. The

On: The Musical” in 2012, most recently

Audience Choice Award.

2017 event is co-chaired by Susan Block

Mr. Page will oversee the festivities

Ms. Louderman, who made her

appeared as Wendy Darling in the 2015

The Arts Award audience members

Proceeds from the St. Louis Arts

and John Russell. Presenting sponsors

NBC musical production of “Peter Pan

will also be treated to selections by Mr.

are World Wide Technology and the

Live.” The Sullivan, Missouri, native

Page known as the voice of Mr. Oogie

Steward Family Foundation. Principal

began pursuing theatrical opportunities

Boogie in Tim Burton’s cult classic film,

sponsors are Edward Jones and Emerson.

in St. Louis, becoming a member of

“The Nightmare Before Christmas.” He

Stage and entertainment sponsor is the

both Team STAGES and Muny Teens,

also starred in London’s West End orig-

Centene Charitable Foundation.

often making the drive to rehearsals

inal cast of Stephen Schwartz’s musical

For a full list of 2017 honorees and to

“Children of Eden.” The native St.

classes at Sullivan High School.

Louisan made his Broadway debut as

KeepArtHappening.org/2017ArtsAwards.

Photo credit: John Gitchoff/STLToday.com

and performances after a day of

purchase tickets or sponsor a table, visit

Ken Page

Taylor Louderman

Harvey Lockhart

Royce Martin 13

be inspired.

2017 St. Louis Arts Awards Presenting Sponsors

Monday, January 23, 2017 at 5:30 p.m.

Chase Park Plaza Hotel

Principal Sponsors

Stage & Entertainment Sponsor

Art Educator of the Year Award Sponsor

Gift Bag Sponsor

Production Sponsor

Gift Sponsor

Excellence in the Arts Award Sponsor – Mike Isaacson

Principal Benefactors

Media Sponsors

Lynne and Jim Turley

Nancy and Ken Kranzberg

Kick Off Reception Hosts

Honoree Luncheon Sponsor

Susan and Terry Block John H. Russell

Major Benefactors

Alison and John Ferring Susan and Terry Block

Table Sponsors AT&T Arthur & Helen Baer Charitable Foundation Jim and Cathy Berges BKD, LLP Clarkson Eyecare Express Scripts Friends of Pianos for People and the Alex Townsend Memorial Foundation HOK Mike Isaacson and Joe Ortmeyer Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts Jim and Merry Mosbacher 14

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis PwC Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Riverview Gardens School District John H. Russell Saint Louis Art Museum Thompson Coburn LLP Washington University in St. Louis Young Friends of the Arts Patrons Mr. and Mrs. Barry H. Beracha Gretta Forrester Nancy and Walter Galvin David and Barbara Gifford Barbara B. Goodman

Vanessa and Noah Vasquez Carol and Tom Voss Event Hosts Nora Akerberg Marie-Hélène Bernard Dorte Bjerregaard Sandy Blasingame and Gary Hall Sara Burke Mary and Robert Ciapciak Jeanie and Clark Davis Kim and Tim Eberlein Len Eschbach John Gianoulakis Terrance J. Good Sheila Greenbaum and Gary M. Wasserman Kelly Hummert Kim and Brendan Johnson

Sally C. Johnston Mary and Eric Koestner Joanne and Alan Kohn Linda and Paul Lee Susan and Danny Ludeman Peter Mackie Lisa Melandri Donna Moog and Leonard Landsbaum Jim and Merry Mosbacher John Nickel Jane F. Ott Penny Pennington and Michael Fidler Kelly Pollock Paul Reuter Stephanie Riven Ruth Saphian and Omer Kinran

Alice and Peter Sargent Elizabeth Gentry Sayad Pat and Ken Schutte Ann and Hugh Scott Don Senti Dr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Siler Mary Ann Srenco Caren Vredenburgh Franklin Wallis Frank Whitman Tributes & Contributions Dr. William Danforth Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Drury Fox Family Foundation Mrs. Bettie S. Johnson Linda Stark

*as of December 19, 2016

WORKPLACE GIVING:

Edward Jones and its Associates Contribute More Than $976,000 to A&E in 2016

I

n 2016, financial-services Edward

munities because we believe everyone

Jones and its associates contributed

benefits when we create better places

more than $976,000 to the Arts and

to live,” Managing Partner Jim Weddle says. “I’m proud that nearly three-quar-

Education Council’s annual campaign, which benefits nearly 70 grantee orga-

tional generosity better than Edward

ters of our associates participated in

nizations with financial support, profes-

Jones,” said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E

our record-setting campaign to sup-

sional development opportunities and

President & CEO. “The firm’s associates

port the arts.”

incubation services through A&E’s

and partners not only generously con-

Centene Center for the Arts.

tribute financial resources to the arts,

ognized the company’s impressive

The Arts and Education Council rec-

but they also contribute their most pre-

commitment to St. Louis’s arts and cul-

and associate co-chairs Mary Pat

cious asset of time to ensure that arts

ture industry by awarding Edward

Thompson and Irasa Downing led the

and culture remain critical assets to our

Jones the “Corporate Support for the

home office campaign, which kicked

region’s vitality and livability.”

Arts” award at the 1998 St. Louis Arts

Campaign partner chair Mike Fross

off in May and raised more than

In recognition of its strong commit-

Awards and the “Corporate Champion

$609,000 from 2,700 associates and

ment to creating a more vibrant com-

of the Arts” at the 2014 St. Louis Arts

partners. More than 200 associates

munity in St. Louis, Edward Jones

Awards. Weddle and his wife Stacey

volunteered on Edward Jones’s A&E

matched its associates’ contributions

chaired the 25th annual St. Louis Arts

Campaign Committee to create fun and

with a corporate gift of $325,000,

Awards in January 2016. Edward Jones

engaging ways for associates to learn

increasing the financial firm’s total

was also recognized nationally for its

about A&E, its grantees and to contribute

commitment to A&E to more than

charitable support for the arts when it

to the arts in the St. Louis community.

$976,000.

received an Americans for the Arts’

In September, Edward Jones contin-

Edward Jones has supported the

2014 BCA10 Award as one of the

ued its A&E Workplace Giving initiative

Arts and Education Council for 38

nation’s “Best Businesses Partnering

with a campaign involving area finan-

years, during which time the firm and

with the Arts in America”.

cial advisors and branch office adminis-

its associates have provided A&E with

trators. Chaired by Financial Advisor

outstanding leadership and invested

an A&E Workplace Giving Campaign,

and Regional Leader Annette Meyer,

more than $9 million in arts and arts

visit KeepArtHappening.org/

the Branch A&E Campaign raised more

education throughout the 16-county,

than $42,000.

bi-state region.

“There are few other private partnerships that embody America’s excep-

For more information about hosting

Make-Your-Impact

“A foundation of our Edward Jones culture is giving back to our local com-

Michael Fross, Partner Chair; Cynthia Prost, A&E President and CEO; Irasa Downing, Associate Co-Chair; Annette Meyer, Branch Campaign Chair; and Jim Weddle, Managing Partner. Not pictured: Mary Pat Brown, Associate Co-Chair.

A&E grantee Circus Harmony performs at Edward Jones home office campaign kickoff.

15

WORKPLACE GIVING:

Fall Campaign Highlights orkplace giving campaigns

W

for A&E from nearly three times as

are the foundation of the

many employees than in the previous

revived its workplace giving efforts in

Arts and Education Council’s

year. Charles A. Stewart, Jr., Vice

a campaign led by Alex J. Tripamer,

fundraising and help provide support

President, Pension & Insurance, led

Director of Instruction. This campaign

for nearly 70 arts and arts education

the 2016 campaign.

is currently underway at press time, as

organizations annually. A&E’s workplace

In 2016, Brentwood School District

The St. Louis Development Corpora-

are those at Pattonville School District,

giving partners recognize that building

tion and St. Louis Housing Authority

Ritenour School District, Riverview

a strong arts community improves

also recently concluded successful

Gardens School District, St. Louis City

quality of life, making our city a better

workplace giving campaigns, led by

Government, St. Louis County

place to live, learn, work, and play.

Soula Jessen, SLDC Human Resources

Government, and the Combined

Specialist, and Althelia Powell-Thomas,

Federal Campaign.

Metro/Bi-State Development Agency recently concluded its 2016 campaign, successfully raising 65% more funds

SLHA Human Resources Administrative

For information about establishing a Workplace Giving Campaign, visit

Assistant, respectively.

KeepArtHappening.org/workplace-giving.

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM:

RubinBrown Helps Spruce up Centene Center for the Arts

R

ubinBrown associates volunteered their time, talent and sweat to help improve the Centene Center for the

Arts. Associates helped paint railings, trim

Front Row (l to r): Hannah Castellano, Jason McAdamis, Julia Morris, Sarah McDoniel, Patrick Fleming. Back Row (l to r): Jeff Barnes, Cathy McNamee, Zach Mittendorf, Jane-Ellis Griggs, Rich Wile.

landscaping, and clean walls in the public rehearsal and event spaces.

WORKPLACE GIVING:

2016 Law Firm and Education Challenge Winners

I

n December 2016, Arts and Education Council awarded the inaugural Education Campaign Challenge

Trophy and the third annual Law Firm Campaign Challenge Trophy for a third year. Schools and firms compete for trophies designed and crafted by Jes Kopitske of Third Degree Glass Factory.

The awards are given to the campaigns that had the largest percentage increase compared to the previous year. The Bayless School District showed a 180% increase in contributions in 2016. Bryan Cave is already one of A&E’s largest workplace giving campaigns, but the firm rallied to further increase their already generous support.

16

Dorothy Powell (l), A&E Development Manager, presents the 2016 Education Challenge Trophy to Amanda Stone, Assistant Principal, Bayless Elementary, and Ron Tucker, Superintendent of Schools.

C. Brendan Johnson, Partner, Bryan Cave (l) accepts the 2016 Law Firm Challenge Trophy from A&E President and CEO, Cynthia A. Prost.

WHY WE GIVE:

Rachel and Matthew Fernandes

O

ne of the many reasons Rachel and Matthew Fernandes love living in St. Louis is the acces-

sibility the city affords them to so many of its arts institutions. As eclectic arts consumers, they like that they can get from their Tower Grove Heights home

KeepArtHappening.org/YFA

to Powell Hall, or Edison Theatre or Jazz at the Bistro in relatively no time at all, and that the cost to attend performances at these venues and others is so reasonably priced.

Rachel, 43, is the events director at Third Degree Glass factory, and Matt, 45, is the community outreach coordinator for Metro/Bi-State Development.

The couple recently increased their commitment to the arts, and A&E in particular, by joining the organization’s Young Friends of the Arts group.

Recently, Happenings spoke to the couple about joining A&E’s Young Friends of the Arts and why they are

excited to see what A&E does for the organizations it supports and I’m lookMatt: I’m totally psyched about being part of this group. I like that A&E has its roots dating back to the 1960s and it’s an established funding organization. I also like that it supports more than 70 arts and arts education organizations in town. For me, it was a no-brainer because by supporting A&E, we are supporting so many great arts organizations and don’t have to pick one.

so committed to helping the arts in

How do you rank the arts in St. Louis?

St. Louis continue to grow and thrive.

Matt: St. Louis is definitely a city where

Why did you decide to become Young

you have a little bit of everything. Maybe

Friends of the Arts members?

not a lot of everything in terms of genres,

Rachel: We had been wanting to get more involved with the arts for some time because we enjoy going to concerts and performances and I work for an arts organization. Young Friends of the Arts had a kickoff event at Third Degree Glass factory and that’s when

Matt and Rachel Fernandes

ing forward to helping with fundraisers.

but there’s always something for everyone and the arts, in general, are very accessible to the community. St. Louis also provides an opportunity to get to know the various players and artists on a personal level in a way they couldn’t in Chicago or San Francisco or New York.

Rachel: I agree — the arts here are so accessible and well-rounded. And tickets are a lot cheaper than so many other cities.

Matt: Especially since we have A&E’s ARTS Card. It pays for itself just when we attend Opera Theatre (of St. Louis), let alone everything else, with discounts like two tickets for the price of one.

What is a great night out for the two of you?

Rachel: Tonight is a good example. We are going to try a new restaurant, and then go to Powell Hall for a Gospel Christmas show. We try to plan something for mid-week about once a month. Sometimes we will go to Jazz at the Bistro or the Black Rep or Dance St. Louis or whatever sounds really interesting to us at the time.

we joined. I like that A&E incorporates

Anything else you want to add about

and supports so many arts groups in

the benefit of being a Young Friend?

the region. And I wanted to be able to

Rachel: If you’re a busy young profes-

network with like-minded people.

sional and don’t have a whole lot of time but want to be involved in the

Matt: I’ve been supporting A&E through workplace giving at Metro, and

arts, I would pick this group. You can

have known how important A&E is in

do so much good for so many organi-

terms of supporting so many arts orga-

zations by just joining this one.

Matt: We live in a country where arts

nizations; so becoming part of A&E’s young friends group was a natural

funding is in jeopardy. Volunteering for

extension.

an organization such as A&E is a way to take an active role in advocating for

What’s been most gratifying about

the arts.

becoming a member of the Young

To learn more about A&E’s Young Friends

Friends of the Arts?

Rachel: Well it just kicked off, but the first cocktail party was really fun. I’m

of the Arts, visit KeepArtHappening.org/ Rachel and Matt certainly have a sense of fun and adventure!

YFA. For upcoming ARTS Card events, visit KeepArtHappening.org/Calendar

17

YOUNG FRIENDS OF THE ARTS:

Membership Event at Third Degree Glass

O

n a warm, autumn evening, Young Friends of the Arts members and

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

guests gathered at Third Degree Glass Factory to learn more about the Arts and Education Council’s mission and impact in St. Louis. Guests

enjoyed interacting with and observing glass artists in action and noshing on the culinary talents of Seoul Taco.

2016 Board of Directors CHAIR Leonard T. Eschbach SECRETARY Peter Sargent TREASURER Ruth Saphian MEMBERS Nora Akerberg Susan Block Sheila Burkett Chris Cedergreen Diane Drollinger John Gianoulakis Barbara B. Goodman Kristin J. Guehlstorf Jason Hall Cary D. Hobbs Nicole Hudson

Young Friends of the Arts board members (l to r), Adam Stanley, Noah Vasquez (board president), and Vanessa Vasquez with Melissa Howe, A&E Development Manager.

Glass pumpkins from Third Degree Glass artists were a popular purchase for the evening.

C. Brendan Johnson Eric Koestner Kenneth Kranzberg Linda Lee Dorte Probstein Rachelle Rowe Shawn Schukar Donald M. Senti Mary Ann Srenco Susan A. Stith Andrew Trivers Carol J. Voss Caren Vredenburgh IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Terrance J. Good EX-OFFICIO Cynthia A. Prost Noah Vasquez

2016 Young Friends of the Arts Board of Directors PRESIDENT Noah Vasquez MEMBERS Teresa Braeckel Morgan Clark Tom Epstein Kelly Hummert

Jorie Jacobi Kate Maxson Thomas SanFilippo Erin Schreiber Adam Stanley Noah Vasquez Vanessa Vasquez

Staff PRESIDENT & CEO Cynthia A. Prost VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS Susan Rowe Jennings VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Kate Francis

Young Friends watch a glass bead-making demonstration.

Seoul Taco provided Young Friends with delicious food out on the Third Degree Glass Factory patio.

CONTROLLER Joseph Soer OPERATIONS MANAGER Mandi Hanway

Many thanks to:

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dorothy Powell

for their support for this YFA event

For more information or to join A&E’s Young Friends of the Arts visit KeepArtHappening.org/YFA

WORKPLACE GIVING CAMPAIGN MANAGER Heather Edwards OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATORS Tonya Hahne Patricia Tichacek DEVELOPMENT & EVENTS MANAGER Melissa Howe COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Emily Hellmuth MARKETING CONSULTANT Ellen Futterman

*Boards and Staff as of Dec 15, 2016 stlouis.bbb.org

18

Circle of Giving October 1 – November 30, 2016 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 Centene Charitable Foundation $25,000 - $49,999.99 Monsanto Fund $10,000 - $24,999.99 Ameren Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Ronald A. Fromm Great Rivers Confluence Foundation Nancy and Ken Kranzberg Monsanto Company Lynne and Jim Turley U.S. Bank $5,000 - $9,999.99 Arsenal Capital Management Mr. and Mrs. Terence E. Block Bryan Cave LLP Commerce Bancshares Foundation Fox Associates LLC Mr. and Mrs. David O. Gifford Mr. and Mrs. Sanford N. McDonnell Foundation Mrs. Priscilla McDonnell The Muny Theatre Nestle Purina PetCare Company The Sheldon Arts Foundation St. Louis Business Journal Stifel Washington University in St. Louis Webster University

$2,500 -$4,999.99 Arthur & Helen Baer Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James G. Berges Clarkson Eyecare Express Scripts Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Friends of Pianos for People and the Alex P. Townsend Foundation Mr. Gary L. Hall and Ms. Sandy Blasingame HOK Mr. Mike Isaacson and Mr. Joe Ortmeyer Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts Webster University Jim and Merry Mosbacher Opera Theatre of Saint Louis PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Regional Business Council The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Saint Louis Art Museum St. Louis Public Radio Thompson Coburn LLP $1,000 - $2,499.99 Mr. and Mrs. Barry H. Beracha Mr. Vance Brakefield Mr. and Mrs. Steven Burkett Kate Francis and Eric Cunningham Mrs. Diane Drollinger Mrs. Judith P. Gall Mr. Moses A. Gayles, III Ms. Barbara Bushman Goodman Mrs. Kristin J. Guehlstorf Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Mr. and Mrs. C. Brendan Johnson Lashly & Baer P.C. Mr. and Mrs. David A. Mayo Mr. and Mrs. John F. McDonnell Donna Moog & Leonard Landsbaum Ms. Cynthia A. Prost Mr. John E. Roland, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Terry E. Schnuck Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Schutte St. Louis Community Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Voss Ms. Caren A. Vredenburgh $500 - $999.99 Anonymous Dr. and Mrs. David H. Alpers Mr. Matt Armentrout Mr. Anthony R. Bassett Mr. Robert Batts Mrs. Diane Bauhof, CFRE Ms. Sara B. Burke Ms. Ann M. Corrigan Mr. Randy A. Dunn Echo Valley Foundation

Mr. Shawn L. Gibbs Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Goldstein Ms. Sheila Greenbaum and Mr. Gary M. Wasserman Ms. Karin M. Hagaman Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Hunter Susan Rowe Jennings and Michael Jennings Mr. David C. Joyner Mrs. Nancy Kalishman Mr. and Mrs. Alan C. Kohn Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Langsdorf Ms. Cheryl A. Lovell Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Ludeman Mr. Clyde W. Mason Ms. Eileen K. McLoughlin Ms. Lisa Melandri Ms. Elizabeth Diane Moore Mrs. Marian Nunn Timothy and Kara Graziano O’Leary Saint Louis University Saint Louis Zoo Dr. and Mrs. Donald M. Senti Stephen W. and Linda Skrainka Ms. Irene L. Thalden

In Tribute October 1 – November 30, 2016 In honor of Steven Woolf and U.S. Bank Donna Moog and Leonard Landsbaum In honor of Steven Woolf and Mike Isaacson Ms. Linda L. Stark

In honor of Harvey Lockhart and Jim & Cathy Berges Mr. and Mrs. David O. Gifford In honor of Sheila Burkett Mr. Josh Peck

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.

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) Gateway Center for Performing Arts Gateway Men’s Chorus Make Music St. Louis, Inc.

Peter Martin Music Prison Performing Arts Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association Upstream Theater YoungLiars

Peter H. Bunce • Ann M. Corrigan Joseph E. Corrigan • Karen J. Isbell James A. Krekeler • Glenn Sheffield Judith Cozad Smith Jane Stamper Trust Michael W. Weisbrod 19

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

/ArtsAndEducation 20

@ArtEdStl

Arts_Education_Council

ArtsAndEducSTL 2013 Missouri Arts Award-Philanthropy

2012 Spirit of Philanthropy Award