MISSION + HISTORY

The Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis has been a unique asset in our community for more than 60 years. Arts and Education Council is our region's only united arts fund supported by private contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and institutions committed to the value and benefit of the arts to our community. 

The Arts and Education Council has served as the base - the root, if you will - through which funding, training and collaboration happens for more than 60 arts organizations that enrich the cultural landscape of St. Louis each year. 

Arts and Education Council grantees not only produce and present great art, they also maintain viable, impactful arts education and outreach programming for K-12 students throughout the bi-state area. Research continues to show that children who participate in the arts enjoy greater academic success, higher self-esteem, improved discipline, higher graduation rates and broad, creative thinking skills necessary for advancement in the world beyond school. 

MISSION   

To build appreciation, participation and support for arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community. 

VISION 

Shaping a vibrant arts community for all. 

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES 

• Leadership with Ethics and Integrity 

• Tradition of Reliability & Transparency 

• Respect for Diverse Voices & Ideas 

• Inspire Imagination and Creativity 

• Responsiveness in Constituent Service 

• Stewardship of Donor Resources 

• Emphasis on Innovation 

HISTORY 

The Arts and Education Council was founded in 1963 when a few arts patrons took responsibility for the future of cultural activity in the St. Louis metropolitan area. This was the year that the United Way focused its mission on funding health and human services organizations, leaving nine arts organizations without funding.  

Morton D. May, Margie May, J. W. McAfee, Evelyn Newman, Kenton R. Cravens, Adelaide (Jabber) Cherbonnier, Adelaide Schlafly, Edgar Monsanto Queeny and scores of others moved the concept forward. They called this effort the Spirit of St. Louis Fund. 

On February 8, 1963, four members of the original Board of Directors - Malcolm W. Martin, Robert Brookings Smith, Howard F. Baer and Clarence M. Turley - signed the Articles of Incorporation and the Arts and Education Council was born. Robert Brookings Smith became the first Chairman of the Board. 

In 1968, the Arts and Education Council presented the first CAMELOT auction an acronym for Cultural Auction of Many Extraordinary Lots of Treasure. This event changed the face of charity benefits in St. Louis. Other major fundraisers have included the Arts Festival for Children and the St. Louis Arts Festival. 

In 1992, the first St. Louis Arts Awards was created by then President of the Arts and Education Council, Pat Rich. The St. Louis Arts Awards showcases the breadth, depth and diversity of the arts throughout our region. 

In 2012, the Arts and Education Council announced another major milestone in its history – the purchase of its first home at the Centene Center for the Arts.  Located in the Grand Center Arts District, the building was home to 20 arts and arts education organizations for more than ten years. The first of its kind in the St. Louis region, the Centene Center for the Arts served as an arts accelerator, offering below-market rent, shared rehearsal, event and meeting spaces as well as technological infrastructure to all of its tenants.