The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis is cutting staff, eliminating its president and CEO position and changing how it administers millions of dollars in grants to artists and arts organizations.
The restructuring comes six months after Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick launched a performance audit of RAC following whistleblower complaints alleging excessive staffing expenses and unconstitutional bonuses. RAC says the changes are aimed at reducing expenses and directing more funding to artists, arts programs and arts organizations across the region.
RAC leaders say the moves are part of a multiyear strategic planning process that included feedback from the local arts sector.
Staffing at the organization has decreased by more than 40% since 2024, and additional reductions are planned. President and CEO Vanessa Cooksey will leave at the end of the year.
“My responsibility has been to put RAC’s mission first and help shape a future that directs more resources to the artists, arts programs, and arts organizations that make St. Louis extraordinary,” Cooksey said.
The state audit followed an initial investigation by Fitzpatrick’s office that identified several issues it said could constitute improper governmental activity.
One involves how much RAC spends to run the agency. State law allows RAC to spend no more than 15% of its annual revenue on administration and staffing. The auditor’s office is examining whether RAC exceeded that limit. It also cited inconsistencies in the grant award process, weaknesses in grant evaluations and concerns about some expenditures.
RAC has defended its financial practices, noting that it undergoes annual independent audits. The state performance audit remains underway.
As part of the restructuring, RAC has contracted with the St. Louis Community Foundation to administer its annual grantmaking process. The foundation will manage the process, but all funding decisions will remain with RAC’s 15 commissioners.
The commissioners, appointed by the St. Louis mayor and St. Louis County executive, will continue to oversee grant strategy and advocate for public arts funding.
RAC’s board also voted to return to non-allocation accounting beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Costs such as rent, salaries and marketing will be counted as administrative expenses rather than assigned to individual arts programs.
RAC will continue to end or outsource programs it previously managed directly over the next year.
“Protecting public funding for the arts has never mattered more than it does now, and RAC is evolving to meet the moment,” board Chair Tino Ochoa said.
RAC said grants to arts organizations increased from $1.6 million in 2023 to $3.2 million in 2025. The agency reports it is on track to distribute $5.3 million in 2026 across all grant categories.
Over four decades, RAC says it has awarded nearly $120 million through more than 7,500 grants.