Since 1985, the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis has been at the center of shaping and supporting the region’s arts and culture scene. As the largest public investor in the arts, RAC’s impact has been transformative—fueling creativity, elevating St. Louis, and inspiring communities far beyond. In 2025, as the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary, it marked the milestone with achievements that underscored both its legacy and its future vision.
The year was filled with storytelling, celebration, and connection. RAC released 40 Years of Creating Together, a documentary that centered the voices of St. Louis creatives whose work uplifts the region’s quality of life. The organization also commissioned a special mural and hosted an unforgettable birthday bash at Union Station on August 28, drawing hundreds to celebrate St. Louis’ creativity. These efforts highlighted the importance of the arts while honoring four decades of “creating together.”
RAC’s financial investment in the community continued to make a measurable impact. In 2025, the organization distributed $4,722,455 in hotel and motel tax revenue grants, supporting 122 organizations, 52 programs, and 135 artists. In addition, RAC established a board-designated Crisis Response Fund to assist grantees affected by the May 16 tornado and the rescission of National Endowment for the Arts funding. That fund distributed $71,800 to 21 organizations and 26 artists, ensuring that vital creative work could continue despite unexpected challenges.
Work also continued from RAC-facilitated ARPA for the Arts funding, which resulted in high-profile projects including two new murals to beautify the city and the St. Louis Film Project. Convening efforts brought people together across the creative community, with 2,000 attendees participating in 65 events at City Foundry. RAC launched a new partnership with Culturalyst to better connect artists and organizations, supported artist growth through Artist INC and the CAT Institute, and collaborated with the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis on ARTS + ACTIVISM + ADVOCACY, a convening that explored the role of the arts in civic participation.
Partnerships also played a key role in RAC’s anniversary year. From teaming up with the St. Louis Battlehawks to raise money through a 50/50 raffle to working with 4 Hands Brewing Co. on limited-edition cans designed by local creatives, RAC found innovative ways to promote artists and uplift the community. Meanwhile, its cultural tourism brand, StLouisArts.org, reached nearly three million users since its 2023 launch, engaging more than 30 target markets and showcasing St. Louis’ world-class arts scene.
“It showcases St. Louis in a way that people don’t always get to see,” said RAC Commissioner Robert Arbuthnot.
From murals to music, convenings to cultural tourism, RAC’s 2025 achievements reflected four decades of investment in creativity and community.
“Our mission and what we are here for—to further invigorate creativity,” said RAC Commissioner Andrea Purnell. “To make people understand that they can be creative and courageous makes me so proud of this organization and really excited about the next forty years to come.”
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.
