Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) has reached the milestone of 40 years of service to the cultural community. Their four decades of commitment have played a critical role in the region’s reputation as a city that provides top-tier cultural attractions and experiences.
To celebrate, they invited the entire region to come party with them – and that’s exactly what happened Thursday evening. The Midway showroom at Union Station was temporarily transformed an arts and culture festival that represented the people and organizations that have been impacted by RAC’s tireless efforts. A range of multicultural performances were highlighted on various stages positioned around the room for the sold-out crowd. Upon entry, audiences were serenaded by a live band. Guests were encouraged to create and decorate their own party hat. Tables of tasty food items – including a slider bar and flatbread pizzas baked fresh on the spot – were stationed around the perimeter of the space.
Guests mingled and networked while they danced to sounds by DJ she BeatZ, who wowed the crowd when she mixed ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” into Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”
The entertainment for the night reflected RAC’s vast and diverse footprint.
There was an acrobatic performance from Circus Harmony, a jazzy vocal performance from Lady J Huston – who also played her trumpet and a rousing poetry recitation from St. Louis City’s 2025 Poet Laureate Pacia Anderson. There was even an elaborate fashion showcase brought by “Black Creatives in the Lou.” Their contribution included two garments from local designers, one on a mannequin and the other on a model that did a lap around the room under the glimmering lights, appearing as walking art.
The showcase featured designs from Rustic Rich, J. Stockings, and Project Runway season 8 finalist Michael Drummond. Each design brought a separate personality, all curated by Yoro of Yoro Styles. The pieces were accentuated by geometric updos and ponytails fashioned by Tendai Morris and the Whisper Whip style team.
The birthday celebration was also attended by Jill McGuire, founding executive director of the Regional Arts Commission.
“It’s so wonderful that this amazing work continues,” McGuire told The American.
She held the position for 30 years and shared with the audience how she oversaw a vital bill as it was written into Missouri state law. A 3.75% tax added to all hotel and motel rooms within St. Louis city boundaries creating a fund for art and artist development.
These funds go directly to supporting dance companies like Afriky Lolo, St. Louis’s premier West African dance company for 30 years who performed at the celebration with a hypnotic drum that demanded guests to dance along. The audience got their chance to participate at the end of their performance when founder and director Diadie Bathily came out and taught the crowd a few traditional dance moves.
The funds also go to supporting the half-century old St. Louis Irish Art school of music and dance. They performed several Irish dances at the celebration. They skipped and leapt in the air to music from the band of strings that accompanied them.
During her remarks, current RAC President and CEO Vanessa Cooksey shared the process of how Regional Arts Commissioners are appointed.
The Mayor is responsible for appointing seven. The St. Louis County Executive appoints eight.
“This work doesn’t happen without good government,” Cooksey said as she reiterated the influence of local government on the organization.
“At a time when it is sometimes difficult to find common ground, the arts bring us together,” said County Executive Sam Page. “[It] helps us get past our differences, unites us and resets our perspective.”
RAC’s party – and all who helped them celebrate – reinforced the notion that this region is a better, more informed and connected place thanks to the arts and culture community. It is work fostered through and supported by RAC that allows for the type of connections which make a thriving arts scene possible.
Living It content is produced with funding by the ARPA for the Arts grants program in partnership with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and the Community Development Administration.
