All posts by Kranzberg Arts Foundation

17 Jun 2025

KAF Joins The Griot Museum of Black History to Celebrate Juneteenth

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Juneteenth National Independence Day is the national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. This year, KAF will join The Griot Museum of Black History for a powerful Juneteenth Celebration taking place next to The Griot (2505 St. Louis Ave) on Thursday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free event will highlight Black history, culture, and community through music, dance, storytelling, food, and local vendors.

Hosted by Tee Parks, the day will feature a land blessing by writer, multi-medium storyteller, and public speaker Cheeraz Gormon; artistic and cultural presentations including spoken word, dance, and monologue; and a vibrant Jazz Jam with saxophonist Kendrick Smith. Legendary St. Louis DJ G.Wiz will provide a high-energy atmosphere throughout the day. The celebration will also include arts and crafts led by Gundia Lock Clay and a variety of local food, retail and resource vendors.

The day concludes with a Freedom Parade to the Whitaker Foundation Summer Concert Series at St. Louis Place Park at 5:30 p.m.

KAF is proud to be a sponsor and supporter of this important cultural event, presented in partnership with the St. Louis Place Community Association and The Griot Museum. We invite our community to come out and honor the spirit of freedom, resilience and collective joy. 

“Where there is unity, there is strength. Where there is hope, there is perseverance. Where there is faith, there is liberation,” says KAF Community Engagement Director Arica Foster.

Volunteers are still needed for this event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Trica at triciaw.griotmuseum@yahoo.com for more details.

13 Jun 2025

PLAY STL Busking Initiative

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KAF is thrilled to collaborate with Interco Charitable Trust and Rio Vista Foundation on an exciting new initiative, PLAY STL, bringing professional St. Louis musicians out of the clubs and into the streets to be enjoyed by the public. PLAY STL celebrates the rich musical heritage of St. Louis by bringing dynamic street performances (a.k.a. busking) to various neighborhoods throughout the region. By showcasing local talent, PLAY STL highlights the St. Louis region’s diverse musical landscape, and breathes life into its communities, fostering a more vibrant and inclusive music scene. Moreover, PLAY STL supports small businesses and Main Streets by attracting foot traffic, helping to boost local commerce and revitalize community hubs.

“St. Louis has a rich musical heritage with incredible musicians of all genres playing nightly in our many nightclubs and music venues, but we want to take them and place them out in the great neighborhoods of our region, where they can be experienced by all with no barriers,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen.

Performers began making appearances in The Ville neighborhood of North St. Louis in late May. Starting in June, St. Louis residents and visitors will begin seeing musicians performing regularly in the evenings in the Central West End, Forest Park and City Foundry. Eventually the program will expand to other areas of both the City and County. 

Local musicians wishing to participate in the PLAY STL program can fill out an application for consideration at kranzbergartsfoundation.org/playstl. Coming soon, KAF will launch a platform where local businesses and municipalities will be able to request musicians to perform in their area.

05 Jun 2025

MATI Festival & Conference 2025

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As you may have already heard, Music at the Intersection is going to look and feel a bit different this year… and KAF is excited about the new direction as the festival enters its fifth year. Rebranded as the MATI Festival and Conference, the popular annual festival will take place Sept 12-14, 2025, and is once again planning a diverse, roots-inspired and decades-spanning artist lineup – encompassed within an epic Midtown block party – while making some significant changes to the format and festival footprint. 

Format-wise, MATI is expanding from two days to three: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Headliner performances will take place across three Main Stages: The Big Top, The Sovereign (set to open mid-2025 at 3300 Washington Avenue) and Field Stage. The former Washington Avenue stage is being removed to create a barrier free, fully-connected Grand Center walking experience for those with tickets and without. Washington Avenue will be lined with vendors, food trucks, buskers, pop-up performances, family-friendly activities and sponsor activations for the entire community to enjoy. 

Beyond the Main Stages, MATI will activate more than a dozen stages and venues throughout Grand Center and the Locust Business District, called MATI Places, offering everything from musical performances, DJ sets and poetry slams to artist workshops, industry panels and keynote speakers. The conference portion of MATI, previously held on Friday, is now part of MATI Places and spread throughout the weekend, allowing attendees to sprinkle learning, discovery – and freely exploring Midtown – into their schedule.

A new, tiered membership program allows true fans and supporters to “join the MATI Movement,” to gain special access to various events and programming while supporting the artists and community. 

“This isn’t just another music festival. MATI is by St. Louis, for St. Louis,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “It’s a microcosm of the city: all ages, races, ethnicities. No neighborhood divides. People who can afford tickets and people who can’t. All joyous. All together in the streets of Grand Center. That’s what the MATI Movement is about. It’s a way for everyday St. Louisans – who are passionate about music, who love art and culture – to be in this with us. It’s about giving a little bit more to achieve a whole lot more, together.”

For more information or to join the MATI Movement, visit matistl.org.

05 Jun 2025

The Big Top is Back!

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One of the harbingers of summer in St. Louis is the return of the majestic red and white peaks of The Big Top to the Washington Avenue streetscape, ushering in an exciting new season in the Grand Center Arts District. Created in Italy by two of the premier tent building firms in the world, The Big Top has been a staple in the district since moving to its permanent home at 3401 Washington Ave. in 2018. 

Under the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, The Big Top has found a permanent home allowing significant improvements to the venue’s production and guest experience, featuring state-of-the-art sound, lights, rigging, and video for world-class concerts, theatrical productions and more.

A beloved summer tradition, Circus Flora returns to The Big Top for its 39th season, “Urban Legend,” underway now through June 22. As always, Circus Flora will dazzle audiences of all ages with its unique combination of world-class circus performers, exceptional storytelling, and live original music. Every city has its legends and lore, and St. Louis is no exception. But what if one of those tales becomes all too real? Urban Legend invites the audience into a world where the city’s folklore comes to life in thrilling and unexpected ways with daring acrobats, clever clowns, incredible performance dogs and more.

In addition to its regular performances, Circus Flora is proud to host a series of special themed performances including: First Responders Night on Wednesday, June 12; a sensory-friendly matinee on Friday, June 13; Pride Night evening performance on Friday, June 13 and a Juneteenth matinee on Saturday, June 19. Visit circusflora.org for full performance and ticket information.

In September, The Big Top will transform into a premiere concert venue as one of three main stages for MATI 2025. Heading into its fifth year, the popular St. Louis-centric music festival will unveil an expanded format, open footprint and a community call-to-action. MATI weekend – now expanded to three days – features more than 100 national, regional and St. Louis-based performances and presentations. The Big Top’s large stage, comfortable seating, great sound and intimate setting is always a top spot for festival-goers to catch beloved artists and discover new favorites. Visit matistl.org to purchase passes and stay updated on all the latest news.

The Big Top will play host to an all-new event the weekend of October 24-26, as   Counterpublic––a St. Louis-based triennial exhibition reimagining the possibilities of art in public life––hosts its inaugural convening, CIRCUS OF LIFE. The free festival, open to all publics and organized by writer and curator Laura Raicovich, alongside Ringleaders, Kenneth Bailey, Galen Gritts, Jeanne van Heeswijk, and Nontsikelelo Mutiti, will bring together artists, performers, poets, curators, organizers, activists and educators in The Big Top’s circus grounds.

CIRCUS OF LIFE will offer alternate ways of gathering via shared experience, reflecting a desire to reconnect art and life. Inspired by the history of the circus, artists of all stripes will perform and host booths of fun, reflection and exchange that have been created specifically with the current socio-political moment in mind—offering challenges and questions to consider. For more information, visit counterpublic.org. 

In between these thrilling events, The Big Top is a turn-key rental event venue, with a capacity ranging from 200 to 1,400 persons, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for weddings, parties, corporate events, fundraising galas and more. KAF’s event staff is ready to help you plan the perfect event in this highly unique space. Visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org/the-big-top/ to get started.

30 May 2025

East Grand Center Arts District

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Over the last 10 years, KAF has been a key player in the transformation of the Grand Center Arts District, committing over $50M in capital and programming funds to support community development, placemaking, and arts infrastructure, particularly in the district’s eastern edge. Looking toward the future, KAF has a strong vision which will turn Grand Center from the most exciting emerging arts district in America into the most exciting arts district in America.

Long-term, KAF will continue to serve as an owner, manager, developer, marketer,

programmer, and facilitator, supporting the curation of a district that feels, looks, sounds, and tastes authentically St. Louis. The artists, designers, creatives and neighborhood stakeholders that KAF has built trust and relationships with over the years will all be part of moving Grand Center East to the next phase.

Improvements in the East Grand Center Impact Zone will be designed to complement and support the surrounding strengths and planned future growth in and across Grand Center, Midtown, and the Central Corridor. The key components of realizing this vision include:

  • New Projects & Destinations: Developing new residential, cultural, employment centers, restaurants, and bars that draw in visitors, particularly spaces that don’t require tickets or reservations.
  • Infrastructure: Improvements to the pedestrian experience including sidewalks, lighting, wayfinding and signage, effective parking solutions, and landscape improvements.
  • Workforce Training & Development: Creating opportunities for people to learn and build skills in the arts and creative industries that will lead to jobs and economic stability.
  • Incentive & Regulatory Structure: Creating a regulatory structure that encourages and controls future development, attracts investors and developers, and provides public financial assistance for public infrastructure and affordable housing. 
  • Marketing, Programming,& Maintenance: Continue to develop programs that maintain the vision of the district as an arts-driven, St. Louis-based space.

This long term vision will be the result of a $225 million planned investment between now and 2029, bringing approximately 200,000 new visitors annually to the district and creating approximately 400 new jobs. Much of this work is already underway, including the pending openings of The Sovereign and The Key as new venues within the district in fall 2025. We will continue to keep our readers updated on the progress of realizing this strategic vision to make Grand Center a globally-recognized place where all of St. Louis gathers.

30 May 2025

KAF Issues ‘The Call’ for Visual Arts Residency Program & Exhibitions

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“‘The Call’ is officially out for the 2026-2027 Kranzberg Artist in Residency (KAIR) program in Visual Arts, as well as exhibition opportunities for visual artists and nonprofit organizations. KAIR Programs utilize artistic venues, studios, community programming and strategic partnerships to empower artists from diverse backgrounds. The Visual Arts KAIR is an 18-month program, running from January 2026 – June 2027, designed to support four outstanding visual artists in a collaborative, resource-rich environment. This residency provides artists with the time, space, and support needed to develop substantial bodies of work, foster collaboration, and fully realize their creative visions.

“We are excited to once again put out The Call to serious St. Louis-based visual artists who are interested in collaborative exhibition opportunities and installations through this unique residency program,” said Larry Morris, KAF Director of Programs and Partnerships who oversees Residencies. “Since its inception, the Visual Arts Residency has showcased some of the top creative talent in St. Louis and we look forward to ushering in the next class.

KAF will accept submissions for The Call from Monday, June 2 – Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at kranzbergartsfoundation.org/the-call. Four artists will be selected by a jury through the competitive open call and will be notified of selection by no later than Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

The four pillars provided by the Visual Arts Residency include:

  • Stipend: A residency stipend of $5,000 (no additional funding)
  • Promotion: Basic storytelling support through Foundation channels and newsletters
  • Workspace and Presenting Space: Venue space and event staffing as well as a dedicated workspace customized to practice needs
  • Community Connection: Proximity to residential organizations and other creatives

In addition to the KAIR program, St. Louis-based visual artists and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may apply during this open submission period for exhibition opportunities in KAF gallery spaces. Beginning in 2026, KAF’s juried exhibition season will feature solo exhibitions by artists selected through The Call. Selected artists will receive a stipend, curatorial and exhibition design support, and the opportunity to present their creative vision in a professional gallery setting.

St. Louis-based painters, photographers, printmakers, ceramicists, illustrators, graphic designers, digital and electronic artists, textile/fiber artists, sketch artists, and multidisciplinary visual artists are all encouraged to apply.

Through developing and managing artistic venues, galleries, studios, and community-based programming, KAF provides essential infrastructure enabling the arts to flourish in the St. Louis region. The KAF residency program adopts an arts-based approach to community development, aligning resources and investments with community vision and needs. Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, the program supports economic development and cultural sustainability, further positioning St. Louis as a leading arts and entertainment destination.

23 May 2025

Partnership with St. Louis County Library Brings the Arts into the Community

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While KAF’s venues and work are primarily based in the Grand Center Arts District, the Foundation is committed to reaching beyond its physical footprint to bring arts programming into the broader St. Louis metro community. To that end, in 2022 KAF formed a partnership with the St. Louis County Library to bring free arts-based programming and cultural enrichment to County Library branches.

The programming is made possible by a $200,000 endowment from KAF to the St. Louis County Library Foundation in order to develop and utilize library spaces as artistic venues and provide an arts based approach to community development. The KAF Gallery inside the beautiful new Clark Family Branch on Lindbergh Blvd. currently features nearly 50 artworks from Nancy and Ken Kranzberg’s Collection. This new space is now a permanent extension of the gallery spaces at the Kranzberg Arts Foundation.

Kranzberg programming at SLCL includes the Kranzberg Jazz Jam the first Thursday of every month at the Lewis and Clark Branch (9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd), an extension of the original weekly Jazz Jam that has been held at The Dark Room for the past 13 years. Hosted by musician and educator Harvey Lockhart, this vibrant monthly gathering brings jazz within reach for people of all ages and backgrounds, while celebrating St. Louis’ jazz legacy and future. The Jazz Jam continues to grow and thrive, becoming not only a fixture of the library, but a beloved staple in the broader community.

The Music Mondays series at the Florissant Valley Branch (195 New Florissant Rd., South) takes place on the second Monday of each month, showcasing musical performances from a range of Kranzberg-connected artists. Since its inception, Music Monday has featured Kranzberg Artist in Residence Drea Vocalz, local staples like Laka Soul, dynamic ensembles such as Kinfolk and Them, and powerful vocalists like Lady J Huston, among others—demonstrating the deep musical talent rooted in our region.

Kranzberg Arts Foundation, in collaboration with St. Louis County Government and St. Louis County Library, also supported civic engagement efforts across three branch locations, which served as open community meeting spaces to gather public input on the design of the newly released St. Louis County flag. The flag was created by Hayveyah McGowan and José Garza, both current visual artists in the Kranzberg Artist in Residency program.

“The partnership between KAF and SLCL is a powerful tool for developing dynamic relationships and meaningful community engagement. The alliance has created an opportunity for artists and musicians to connect with an audience of diverse people,” says KAF Community Engagement Director Arica Foster.

19 May 2025

A Message From The Executive Director:

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Dear Friends,

All of us at KAF are deeply saddened and shocked by the absolute devastation that the May 16 tornado caused to a large area of our city, and the lives lost in this tragedy. To see neighborhoods so rich in community, culture and history reduced to rubble and their residents displaced is beyond heartbreaking. 

The affected communities have produced and are home to some of St. Louis’ greatest artists and creators, and KAF is committed, now and in the long term, to aiding in their recovery in whatever ways we can be most effective. We are already meeting and in discussion with local civic leaders and community organizations to mobilize efforts, particularly with regards to housing and other infrastructure needs. We will continue to keep our subscribers updated on these efforts and how you can help in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, we urge you to follow and support some of our fellow organizations doing immediate boots-on-the-ground work in this recovery, including 4 The Ville and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis,  and visit this comprehensive guide from St. Louis Magazine for additional resources on where to help and get help.

This recovery effort will take years, but we believe in the strength and resilience of this community and know that St. Louis can emerge stronger than ever if we all work together.

Chris Hansen

16 May 2025

2233 Delmar – New Home of Logic Systems Holdings

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Logic Systems Holdings——the premier midwest provider for event audio, lighting, and video production services —— has relocated its headquarters from St. Louis County to the city at 2233 Delmar Boulevard. With support from the Kranzberg Arts Foundation and the St. Louis Development Corporation, Logic Systems has brought its full 140-person staff to the Downtown West neighborhood development, bolstering the city’s film, event and music touring production amenities. 

Interior and exterior renovations to the building are still underway. A new grand lobby features large glass panes salvaged from Chesterfield Mall before demolition and spared from the landfill. Once the renovation and build-out of the administrative offices is complete, Logic Systems will begin on the design and fundraising for Phase 2——a roughly 60,000-square-foot facility that can be used for rehearsals, film, television, training or special events. 

The KAF-owned facility will also house a workforce development program, providing hands-on skills training for individuals seeking jobs in arts and entertainment, with Logic Systems as a partner. The program is designed to create a pipeline to jobs for low to moderate income individuals in St. Louis city and county, as well as the entire Missouri region, and help the industry recover from post-pandemic staff shortages.

16 May 2025

Staff Profile: Matthew Washausen, Creative Director

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Staff Profile: Matthew Washausen, Creative Director

Matthew Washausen joined KAF in 2017 as a graphic design intern, having been introduced to the Foundation by a former professor who knew about his passion for both the arts and music. With a bachelor of fine arts degree in Graphic Design from the University of Missouri St. Louis, Matthew supports and collaborates with the vibrant community of local artists and musicians in the KAF ecosystem every day as Creative Director, playing a key role in shaping how the KAF mission is communicated and experienced by our audiences. 

What drew you to KAF?
I was incredibly excited to be a part of something that allowed me to work within the music, fine art, theater, and community.

What is your favorite part of your job?
This role allows me to merge my passion for creative expression with my commitment to fostering inclusive, artist-driven spaces. Working alongside individuals who are deeply devoted to their craft inspires me daily, and it’s an honor to help bring their vision to life through meaningful projects and events. Being part of a foundation that prioritizes local voices and provides the resources to turn bold ideas into reality is not just fulfilling—it’s a responsibility I hold with immense gratitude and purpose.

How do you feel your role directly supports the KAF mission?
I play a key role in shaping how the KAF mission is communicated and experienced by our audience. My work ensures that the values, goals, and impact of KAF are visually and emotionally resonant across all platforms. Whether through campaign design, brand strategy, or storytelling, I translate the mission into compelling content that inspires action, fosters engagement, and builds trust. By maintaining consistency and clarity in our visual identity, I help KAF reach broader communities, strengthen its presence, and make a lasting impression that reflects the heart of our mission. I see my role as an essential bridge between the Foundation’s mission and the creative community it serves.

What do you love most about the St. Louis arts community?
It’s relentless hustle and unwavering passion. Artists here are constantly creating, pushing boundaries, and making sure their work is seen—not just locally, but on a national and even global stage. There’s a deep sense of pride, resilience, and drive in this community. It’s not just about making art; it’s about making sure the world feels it.

What do you personally do outside of work to engage in the arts?
Outside of work, I am very passionate about being involved in the local music and fine art community. I have been playing in local bands since my sophomore year of high school and have had the privilege to do small tours and connect with those who have also dedicated their life to creating music within our amazing city. Recently, my band, Unfleshing, released our debut full-length album, Violent Reason.  When it comes to art, I run my own freelance business working on branding and packaging for different entrepreneurs, both locally and globally.

Who are some of your favorite St. Louis artists/musicians/creators that people should check out?
Some of my favorite St. Louis Artists include Lauren Marx, Chris Bauer, Phil Jarvis, and Seth Rogers. With my favorite local musicians, I spend most of my time within the metal community and am a big fan of bands such as Sawed Off, Mindclot, Man With Rope, Willem Dafrend, Coagulating, and many more.

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