An exciting addition to this year’s MATI is the activation of more than a dozen stages and venues throughout Grand Center and Locust Business District called MATI Places. Access to all MATI Places is included with a MATI Main Stages pass; but for those looking for a lower barrier to entry—to experience the festive atmosphere, support a favorite St. Louis-based artist or poet, attend the conference, or participate in a community workshop—MATI Places ONLY single-day passes are available for $20.
Programming at MATI Places will include a wide variety of community curations: everything from musical performances, DJ sets, poetry slams and family-friendly raves to rooftop yoga, artist workshops, industry panels and keynote speakers, offering something for everyone.
“The idea behind MATI Places is to bring the festival environment into the surrounding community and beyond the main stage footprint,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “We want the entire neighborhood to feel fully connected, especially for those who live or work in the area, and for local artists, musicians and industry folks to benefit from the conference sessions, even if they aren’t able to attend the concerts.”
MATI Places include: Central Stage, High Low, Jazz St. Louis, Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, The Dark Room, The Key (3221-3225 Olive), Work & Leisure x Kre8 Space, and .ZACK, as well as non-ticketed, publicly-accessible spaces including CAM (Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis), Counterpublic, Golden Gems and Hidden Gem, Metro Theater, The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Sally’s Rooftop Garden, and Strauss Park.
“Counterpublic is moving into the Grand Center Arts District this fall and we are super excited to be part of MATI Places this year. The program will enliven the entire district and we can’t wait to welcome folks to the neighborhood,” says Kristin Fleischmann-Brewer, Deputy Director of Counterpublic. The organization plans to open the doors to its new location in a historic house on Washington Ave. for a housewarming party with lawn games, snacks, drinks and a front porch DJ set.
Other groups and organizations curating for MATI Places during the weekend include: Central VPA High School, Frizz Fest, Goodish, Grand Center Arts Academy, Laz Jazz Fest, Urban Harvest STL, APR Entertainment, HEAL, PACK Dance, Poetry in Motion, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Harris Stowe State University, and SlumFest.
Taking place at .ZACK on Friday and Saturday, the MATI Conference for artists and others in the arts industry will offer networking events and panel discussions by industry experts on a wide range of topics, providing invaluable knowledge and best practices. Conference events and panel discussions this year include:
- Arnold Donald Unscripted: Entrepreneur Spotlight – a business leader’s bold path from idea to impact
- Arch Grants presents The Founders Lunch – lunch series with St. Louis’ top founders
- How to Make Money as a Creative Entrepreneur
- Crash. Learn. Rise. – real talk on entrepreneurship, mistakes and bouncing back
- Content Creators Roundtable – How to leverage podcasts, TikTok and Instagram
- Watch Me Now! – The future of video content creation
- CAM Presents: The Brown Bag Art Lunch (RSVP required)
- Fight the Power – The art and voice of hip-hop protest culture
- The Recording Academy Presents: Beyond the Break – sustaining success in the music business
For a complete schedule of the weekend’s events and to purchase passes, visit matistl.org.
