Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission
ActiveArts, Culture & Humanities
About Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission
As the leading public catalyst for arts and culture in St. Louis, the Regional Arts Commission leverages the power of creativity to strengthen and enrich our community.
Focus Areas
Arts fundingArtist supportOrganizational/general operating support for arts nonprofitsProgram/project support (arts programming)Public art (murals, sculptures, site-specific work)Capacity building and workforce/administration fellowshipsCommunity arts training
Who They Fund
arts organizationsperforming artists and musiciansfestival and conference attendees/participantsorganizations serving communities of color / African diaspora-focused convenings
About Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission
REGIONAL CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION is headquartered in ST LOUIS, MO. It gave $14,660,342 in annual grants in the latest 990 year on file (2025) and reported total assets of $9,242,757. Its giving is concentrated in arts funding, artist support, organizational and general operating support for arts nonprofits, program and project support, public art, capacity building, and community arts training. The commission funds individuals and does not make program-related investments. Recent grantmaking shows substantial support for St. Louis arts organizations and artists. Among the largest recent awards are $600,000 to CONTINUITY, $600,000 to ST LOUIS DANCE THEATER, $500,000 to ST LOUIS SHAKESPEARE, $500,000 to THE MUNICIPAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION OF ST LOUIS, and $500,000 to ST LOUIS BLACK REPERTORY COMPANY. Other notable grants include $500,000 to THE SHELDON ARTS FOUNDATION and $500,000 to CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM. The typical grant size is $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating that the portfolio includes both smaller awards and larger institutional grants.
What Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission Funds
Recent grantmaking spans arts and culture programming, general operating support for arts organizations, and public art. Notable grants include $600,000 to CONTINUITY for program support, $600,000 to ST LOUIS DANCE THEATER for general operating support, and $500,000 to ST LOUIS SHAKESPEARE for program support. Other recent awards include $500,000 to THE MUNICIPAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION OF ST LOUIS, $500,000 to ST LOUIS BLACK REPERTORY COMPANY, and $100,000 to ST LOUIS ART PLACE INITIATIVE (RAC FOUNDED). The active program list also includes the Artist Relief Fund, Artist Support Grants, Organizational Grants, Program Support Grants, Downtown STL Public Art Initiative, and InSITE STL (Temporary Public Art).
How Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission Gives
REGIONAL CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION gives mainly unrestricted or program-related support to arts organizations, performing arts groups, and some individual artists. The typical grant size is $10,500 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants range from small to large awards, including several $100,000 to $600,000 grants. Its grant programs listed here do not accept unsolicited applications, with some public art initiatives allowing submissions. The foundation’s giving is local, and 99% of grants in the data go to recipients in MO.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$8.2M
Total Assets
$9.2M
Total Revenue
$15M
Total Expenses
$13.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $11K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
Geographic Reach
Local4 states funded
About 99% of grants go to recipients in MO.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
VANESSA COOKSEY
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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