Each January, the Arts and Education Council (A&E) presents the St. Louis Arts Awards, an inspiring evening honoring the artists, educators, philanthropists, corporate citizens and arts organizations whose outstanding contributions to our cultural community make St. Louis such a vibrant place to live, learn, work and play. Since 1992, the St. Louis Arts Awards has celebrated more than 170 honorees and raised more than $7.2 million to benefit A&E's annual campaign, which supports nearly 100 arts organizations in the bi-state region. This year's sold-out St. Louis Arts Awards will honor seven extraordinary individuals and organizations, including World Wide Technology for Corporate Support for the Arts.

For a company that solves technology problems for its clients all over the world, one look at the sponsorship signs of many St. Louis arts organizations will tell you that World Wide Technology (WWT) is interested in more than technology. They are committed to fostering a culture of creativity and philanthropy across the region.

Founded in 1990 by David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh, World Wide Technology recognizes the importance of giving back and supporting a strong, creative community where its employees want to live, learn, work and play. That is why WWT supports many of the region’s key cultural assets including Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Jazz St. Louis, St. Louis Symphony, the Arts and Education Council, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Muny, The Black Rep, the Sheldon Arts Foundation and Nine Network of Public Media, among several others. Put simply, WWT is an exemplary corporate citizen.

“We are proud to celebrate what artists do through our corporate philanthropy and have our employees enjoy what they do,” said Ann Marr, WWT vice president of global human resources and president of the company’s charitable foundation.

It may come as a surprise that a company rooted in technology would be so focused on the arts and creativity. “We want our employees thinking outside the box,” explained Marr. “Advances come when people think creatively.”

Bob Olwig, WWT vice president of business development and innovation, agrees. “Our clients come to us with big problems and big problems require creative thinking.”

The Fortune 100 company headquartered in Maryland Heights also knows the arts are an important factor in building a community and creating an environment and a quality of life for current and future employees.

To make a tribute gift honoring World Wide Technology, click here. For more information about the 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards, click here.

The Corporate Support of the Arts Award is sponsored by Nancy & Ken Kranzberg.