Saint Louis Dance Theatre Awarded $600,000 – Largest ARPA Award for the Arts to Boost St. Louis Tourism
Funding to Attract More Out-of-Town Visitors from Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO (Sept. 9, 2024) – Saint Louis Dance Theatre (STLDT) is proud to announce it has been awarded $600,000 in ARPA for the Arts grant funding from the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RACSTL). This represents the largest tier of funding awarded, recognizing STLDT's significant contribution to the St. Louis arts and culture scene. The grant will support STLDT in creating inclusive, world-class dance experiences that will enrich the St. Louis community and attract more visitors to the city.
Specifically, the grant will enable STLDT to:
Expand its staff: STLDT is thrilled to welcome three new team members: Stephanie Lynch as Director of Marketing, Tasha Kaminsky as Director of Development, and CiCi Kai as Company Administrative Assistant. These additions will strengthen the company's capacity to connect with audiences, build sustainable funding streams, and ensure smooth operations.
Enhance its programming: The grant will support the development and presentation of STLDT's exciting 2024-2025 season, featuring captivating new works and collaborations that showcase the company's commitment to artistic excellence and diversity.
Amplify its marketing and advertising: STLDT will invest in strategic marketing and advertising campaigns to reach broader audiences, both locally and nationally, and bolster St. Louis' reputation as a world-class arts and culture destination, attracting more out-of-town visitors.
“The arts are a critical piece of our travel and tourism puzzle, drawing visitors to our region for only-in-St. Louis experiences that uplift and inspire, while driving significant revenue for the metro area,” said Catherine Neville, vice president of communications for Explore St. Louis. “As the region’s premier contemporary dance company, we are proud to partner with Saint Louis Dance Theatre in amplifying their work and promoting their vision to engage locals and visitors in celebrating the power of dance.”
In May 2023, the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RACSTL) received $10.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of St. Louis. In just 15 months, RACSTL distributed all the funds to help support working artists, arts organizations, and the beautification of St. Louis through the St. Louis Mural Project.
The capstone was laid in September 2024, as RACSTL awarded more than $6 million to 21 local organizations through one-time, tourism grants. The grants are meant to support organizations with staffing, marketing, programs, and initiatives that attract more visitors to St. Louis City. ARPA for the Arts is a collaboration between the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, Community Development Administration of St. Louis, and the City of St. Louis.
“We’ve made significant investments with our ARPA for the Arts Tourism grants. We are funding and encouraging greater innovation and collaboration between arts and culture organizations. We want to see increased audience engagement and help expand our individual and collective cultural tourism efforts. We believe this work will ultimately bring more visitors to St. Louis City,” said Vanessa Cooksey, RACSTL president and CEO.
The arts are crucial to the economic development of St. Louis, contributing nearly $868 million to the region in 2022 according to the Americans for the Arts – Arts and Economic Report 6. Additionally, more than 8.1 million local and out-of-town tourists attended St. Louis theatre performances, concerts, art fairs, festivals, and more in 2022 – many of which were funded by RACSTL. Out-of-town tourists spent 71% more than their local counterparts when engaging in local arts and culture experiences.
"This generous ARPA grant from RACSTL empowers Saint Louis Dance Theatre to further our mission of creating inclusive, world-class dance experiences that resonate with both our local community and visitors to St. Louis," said Erin Warner Prange, Executive Director of STLDT. "We're committed to leveraging this support to expand our programming, reach new audiences, and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of our city."
About Saint Louis Dance Theatre
Saint Louis Dance Theatre is a premier professional dance company blazing new trails by interweaving the Gateway City's storied legacy into boundary-pushing contemporary performances. Combining world-class artistry with a bold vision, Saint Louis Dance Theatre champions inclusivity, collaboration, and artistic excellence. This fusion of purpose and passion positions Saint Louis Dance Theatre as a beacon for the spirit of St. Louis in every performance.
With a grand vision of elevating St. Louis as a nationally recognized arts destination, Saint Louis Dance Theatre aims to deepen connections locally while showcasing the region's pioneering creative force on a national scale. For more information, visit stldancetheatre.org.
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