All posts by Kranzberg Arts Foundation

12 Jan 2026

“Everything Under the Sun” Sculpture Begins Installation in Grand Center

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A large-scale steel sculpture titled “Everything Under the Sun” has begun installation in a KAF-owned lot at the intersection of Delmar Boulevard and Leonard Avenue, at the northeastern edge of the Grand Center Arts District. The concept for the installation was inspired by the roughly east-west orientation of St. Louis streets and their alignment with sunrise and sunset throughout the year. The installation includes a monumental steel sculpture that will allow sunlight to filter through in perfect alignment with the city’s street grid during sunrise and sunset on specific days each year. The experience will be enhanced with regular public programs tied to sunrise and sunset and community experiences on the site.

The project comes out of a multiyear collaborative initiative, Design Openings, launched last year by The Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University, that invites local interdisciplinary design teams to animate public life in the Covenant Blu Grand Center neighborhood through long-term creative design projects and collaborations.

“Everything Under the Sun” was conceived by Jonathan Stitelman, senior lecturer in architecture and urban design, who led a team including Becca Leffell Koren, senior lecturer in communication design; Max Bemberg, project architect; RJ Hartbeck, photographer and storyteller; Josh Levi, sound design lead; and Chris McCrossan of Trocofab. Their proposal was selected by a jury of local community stakeholders. The initiative is made possible with funds from an endowment established by Emily Rauh Pulitzer to support collaborative projects between WashU and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation.

“KAF was pleased to offer the Design Openings initiative this piece of land upon which a new and dynamic piece of public art will be enjoyed by all in the district,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “This project is a true collaboration that elevates our entire arts community.”

12 Jan 2026

Kranzberg Artists In Residence Exhibition at St. Louis County Library Clark Family Branch

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If you happen to visit the St. Louis County Library’s Clark Family Branch, be sure to stop by the KAF Gallery on the main floor to view works by Kranzberg Artists in Residence. The exhibition presents recent work by past and present Kranzberg Arts Foundation Visual Artists in Residence including: Felia Davenport, José Garza, Mee Jey, David Kirkman, Moraa Nyaribo, B.J. Parker, Sarah Paulsen, Norman Spencer, Vincent Stemmler and Kenneth Randle, as well as renowned St. Louis artist and Brock Seals.

The selection highlights each artist’s conceptual range, material exploration, and ongoing creative evolution—reflecting the diversity and excellence of artists living and working in our region. Together, they embody the spirit and cultural impact of the Residency’s mission in St. Louis.

Launched in 2021, the Kranzberg Arts Residencies for Individual Artists program supports participants in defining and achieving their artistic goals. Each residency provides dedicated space, resources, and proximity to the Foundation’s network of venues and creative infrastructure—enabling artists to expand their work, build connections, and engage meaningfully within St. Louis’s evolving arts landscape.

“The library is the perfect venue for taking in thought-provoking artwork. This exhibition brings the important work that the KAF Residencies provide to our local artists, to share with our community at large,” says collections consultant Dana Turkovic. “The galleries are accessible to all and encourage curiosity in everyone, celebrating the power of the imagination in all artforms whether it be the written word or a canvas saturated with vibrant imagery.”

05 Jan 2026

MAIN STRƎƎT: The Lost Dream of Route 66

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Opening Monday, January 12 at The High Low Gallery 

The High Low Gallery presents a new exhibition, “MAIN STRƎƎT: The Lost Dream of Route 66,” featuring photographs by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Edward Keating, opening  Monday, January 12 and on view through Sunday, March 15. The exhibition is accompanied by Keating’s eponymous book of 84 photographs (Damiani, 2018).

MAIN STREET is the result of 11 years of travels along Route 66 — the 2,400 mile stretch between Chicago and Santa Monica. Called the “mother road” in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, Route 66 has inspired countless artists and writers, including Andy Warhol and Jack Kerouac. Following the path of migrant farmers and others, Keating has ventured westward and back along Route 66, documenting the lives of Americans along the way. 

Keating approaches the route as both a journalist and memoirist. His photographs bring attention to the lives and myths scattered along the stretch of Route 66, and serve as a metaphor for the deterioration of middle-class America. This book is also personal mythology, constructed from the artist’s own recollections of the road: Keating’s mother grew up in St. Louis along Route 66 where her father owned the city’s first Ford dealership. In his early 20s, he embarked on a cross-country trip on Route 66, but found himself, rock-bottom, in a broken-down motel in Flagstaff, Arizona. In 2000, he returned to Route 66 as a New York Times staff photographer, traversing all 2,400 miles in three weeks. The book is a milestone for an artist who has spent a life wandering along the main streets and back roads of America’s most mythic highway.

Edward Keating had served as a photojournalist for nearly 40 years for such publications as The New York Times, Forbes and Business Week. In 2001, Keating received the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography, as well as the John Faber Award for International Reporting, Overseas Press Club, for his series of photographs on the September 11 attacks. He additionally shared the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting with The New York Times staff for the series, “How Race is Lived in America,” and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for the 1997 series “Vows,” co-authored with Lois Smith Brady. In 2003, Keating joined Contact Press Images photography agency. MAIN STREET was Keating’s sixth monograph. Tragically, Keating died of cancer in Sept 2021contracted as a result of his long exposure to toxic materials at Ground Zero in the days after 9/11. He was 65 years of age.

The Gallery at The High Low is open to the public during café hours with no appointment necessary, every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

05 Jan 2026

We’re Ready for a Stellar 2026!

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Happy New Year! After a hugely successful holiday season, the KAF staff is rested and ready to bring it in 2026. We have a full year of thrilling programs, exhibitions, performances and development activities on the horizon—all in service of our mission to provide the essential infrastructure for the arts to thrive in the St. Louis region.

On the music front, our latest development, The Sovereign, run by Old Rock House owner Tim Weber, has an incredible lineup of shows slated through May 2026 with tickets currently on sale and more being booked every day. Weekends at The Key are heating up January with some of the best party bands in St. Louis, including Proud Larry, Ghost Kitchen and Laka – the Tina Turner Tribute. The Dark Room continues to be a mainstay of the St. Louis music scene with weekend performances by some of St. Louis’ top musicians in Jazz, Soul, Hip-Hop, Latin and more; while Sophie’s Artist Lounge serves up inspired weekly sets by resident DJs.

KAF’s Visual and Literary Arts programming will bring more thrilling exhibits in 2026, highlighting St. Louis artists, including members of Kranzberg Artist in Residency Program (KAIR) in Visual Arts. New commissions are planned for The Walls Off Washington as well, adding to the more than 30 current murals by local and international artists on view in the district. The Key will also be further developed as an interdisciplinary venue rooted in movement, sport, music, and visual storytelling in the coming months. Within the literary arts, the popular High Noon speaker series will be expanded and more deeply integrated with gallery programming. Our first event of the year kicks off this Thursday, as St. Louis poet Matthew Freeman reads from his new book, Dopamine and the Devil. 

Our Programs and Partnerships department remains steadfast in its efforts to refine systems that strengthen creative equity, expand infrastructure, and build lasting trust in our community in 2026, including deepening ties and growth with St. Louis’ Latino and Asian communities, broadening on-the-ground reach, and scaling our Community Ticket Program to further access to the arts among our most vulnerable populations.

The ArtWorQ initiative workforce development program, launched in fall 2025 with the goal of connecting St. Louis job seekers with careers in the arts and entertainment industry, recently graduated its inaugural cohort and will continue to grow and expand in the coming year, creating

a pipeline to jobs for low to moderate-income individuals in the city and county of St. Louis, as well as the entire Missouri region.

And, of course, stay tuned in the coming months for exciting news and announcements about MATI 2026.

Whether you visit one of our galleries, take in a show at one of our great venues, visit with our team at a community event or simply follow us here or on social media, we can’t wait to share more of St. Louis’ incredible arts scene with you over the next year.

 

23 Dec 2025

KAF’s Programs & Partnerships Department Deepens Community Ties and Access

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Throughout 2025, KAF’s Programs & Partnerships Department strengthened the Foundation’s mission to build community through creativity, access, and equitable opportunity. This year marked a period of refinement and measurable growth—expanding artist residencies, deepening community partnerships, and reaffirming the Foundation’s role as both a cultural anchor and civic collaborator in the St. Louis region.

Some of the year’s community building highlights included:

  • Kranzberg Artist in Residency Program (KAIR): KAF Residencies have evolved into a self-sustaining ecosystem of growth—serving as a national-standard model for artist development rooted in equity and collaboration and continuing to create pathways for lasting success.
  • Saint Louis County Flag Redesign: In partnership with Elasticity marketing agency, KAF coordinated the St. Louis County Flag redesign, demonstrating how artists can shape civic identity through creativity and collaboration, with KAIR visual art resident José Garza and former resident Hayveyah McGowan leading the winning design.
  • MATI Community Ticket Program: In 2025, the Community Ticket Program deepened equitable access to the arts across St. Louis City, County, and East St. Louis—distributing 939 three-day passes through 40 partner organizations.
  • Tornado Response & Equitable Access: When the May 16, 2025 tornado struck North St. Louis, the Foundation’s network became a crucial response tool. Team members—both on and off the clock—mobilized across neighborhoods, supporting recovery efforts with 4theVille, The People’s Response, and community partners in The Maker’s District on Delmar. To bring some joy to those most affected, KAF allocated and distributed 2500 MATI Festival passes to residents in impacted ZIP codes.

Looking ahead, the Programs & Partnerships department will continue to prioritize depth over scale—refining the systems that strengthen creative equity, expand infrastructure, and build lasting trust in the community.

*Photo Credit: Taylor Marrie

23 Dec 2025

2025 Included Landmark Exhibitions With More to Come

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KAF’s Visual Arts program saw incredible growth and landmark exhibitions in 2025 across its six galleries and 34 public murals, with an emphasis on artist care, radical welcoming, professional development, community engagement, and regional impact. 

The Walls Off Washington added new commissions including a mural by Dominic Chambers in partnership with Saint Louis University and St. Louis Literary Award exploring the underground railroad in St. Louis; a mural expansion by internationally renowned artist Kenny Scharf at The Sovereign and adjacent facades; and a new mural by Brock Seals in the courtyard at The Key. 

In conjunction with the 2025 MATI Festival & Conference in September, KAF opened the new Legends’ Gallery with the landmark exhibition “Roll Call: Most of My Heroes Don’t Appear on No Stamps” featuring the art of visionary/artist/music icon and Public Enemy founder Chuck D, who visited the gallery for a highly attended reception and Artist Talk. In December, the gallery partnered with a co-producer of the national tour of The Wiz as it made its return to The Fabulous Fox for the pop-up exhibition “Through Oz: Exploring the role of imagination, fantasy, and joy in times of upheaval,” honoring this timeless classic story. 

At Sophie’s Artist Lounge, another landmark exhibition, ‘To STL With Love’ – Celebrating Hip Hop Culture in St. Louis,” opened in the fall, continuing through January 2026. Produced by Kris Blackmon in collaboration with KAF, this thorough, multidisciplinary exhibition documents, celebrates, and uplifts the artists, venues, media, and cultural moments that have shaped the St. Louis hip-hop scene over the past several decades. A diverse offering of exhibitions by KAF visual Artists In Residence and other local talents rotated through the galleries at The Kranzberg, High Low, The Dark Room and the Clark Family Branch of the St. Louis County Library.

Heading into 2026, more exciting new commissions are planned for The Walls off Washington, expanding its reach further into the district, and major exhibitions are scheduled across KAF galleries, along with the continued restoration and expansion of public art corridors. The first of these exhibitions will be announced shortly after the New Year. Please visit the Visual Arts page of our website for complete exhibition information and gallery hours.

23 Dec 2025

Cheers to a Great Year!

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In 2025, KAF not only opened several new venues and artist spaces, but we also developed a strong strategic plan to take the district well into the future. Partnering with consulting firm Urban Impact Advisors, KAF created the East Grand Center Arts District Strategic Plan with a vision to establish Grand Center as a place that all of St. Louis gathers and that is globally recognized, building on the robust culture of Grand Center and connecting a diverse audience to great art, momentum, and opportunity. 

Improvements in the East Grand Center Impact Zone are designed to complement and support the surrounding strengths and planned future growth in and across Grand Center, Midtown, and the Central Corridor. 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 recent openings of The Sovereign and The Key Burger Bar & Boogie as new venues within the district in fall 2025. St. Louis’ newest Independent concert venue, The Sovereign is the brainchild of KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen, Lawrence Group, and New + Found CEO Steve Smith, and Old Rock House Managing Partner Tim Weber. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Sovereign transformed a century-old building into a state-of-the-art, 1,200-capacity concert venue.

The Key opened in a pair of adjacent historic buildings rescued from demolition by KAF through an agreement with Saint Louis University and with support from the Landmarks Association of St. Louis and reimagined for the modern day, while respecting and preserving their defining architectural elements. The roughly 9,000-square-foot complex offers a fast-casual Burger Bar on one side and a dance hall/concert venue on the other, as well as an ongoing gallery program uplifting local artists. 

Additionally, KAF opened a new multipurpose development in 2025, Grandel Square Studios & Workspaces, offering studio spaces for visual and multidisciplinary artists and workspaces for nonprofits.

Beyond physical spaces, KAF partnered with local employers to launch the new ArtWorQ initiative with the goal of connecting St. Louis job seekers with careers in the arts and entertainment industry. This special workforce and employment training program is focused on practical skills and cross-sector job opportunities within the arts and entertainment sectors. Recently graduating its inaugural cohort, ArtWorQ creates a pipeline to jobs for low to moderate-income individuals in the city and county of St. Louis, as well as the entire Missouri region. 

Summer 2025 saw the launch of the PLAY STL initiative, a collaboration of KAF, Interco Charitable Trust and Rio Vista Foundation that brought 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.

As September rolled around, the community came out in full force for the fifth annual MATI Festival & Conference. The biggest MATI yet saw crowds of approximately 17,000 gathering in Grand Center across the weekend-long event. This year brought new changes to the festival, including a revised and expanded footprint that included the introduction of The Sovereign as a main stage venue and the introduction of MATI Places, extending programming into the full Grand Center Arts District. MATI’s dynamic programming and community focus garnered national press including features in Essence and The Source.

Week after week throughout the year, KAF’s signature venues and galleries including The Dark Room, The Grandel, Sophie’s Artist Lounge, High Low, The Walls Off Washington, The Gallery at The Kranzberg and newly-opened Legends’ Gallery continued to provide unique opportunities to experience St. Louis’ best artists and musicians and support their growth through intimate concerts, exhibitions, talks and special events. 

We have so much in store for 2026 that we can’t wait to share. Thank you to all of our newsletter subscribers, and stay tuned!

19 Dec 2025

ArtWorQ Initiative Graduates its First Cohort

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In partnership with WashU CAPS and local employers, KAF recently wrapped up its ArtWorQ arts and entertainment industry career prep initiative, a hands-on program designed to prepare and connect job seekers with opportunities in the growing arts and entertainment industry. From November 3 to December 16, the program provided participants with career readiness skills and an introduction to the technical and behind-the-scenes roles that support live events, performances, and creative productions across St. Louis.

Over six weeks, participants attended full-day sessions Monday through Thursday, blending classroom instruction with practical training, guest speakers, and site visits. WashU instructors guided students through career readiness topics, including math and reading proficiency, communication, and computer skills, while numerous industry professionals offered firsthand insight into real-world career paths. Site visits included Kranzberg Arts Foundation venues, The Sheldon, Enterprise Center, Stifel Theatre, Logic Systems, Mike Martin Media, the Contemporary Art Museum, Mid Coast Media, and Open Studio Jazz, giving participants a behind-the-scenes look at working creative environments.

“The ArtWorQ Industry Career Prep Program exceeded our expectations. Participants showed tremendous growth over six weeks, not only gaining technical and career readiness skills, but also building confidence and connections within our local arts and entertainment industry,” said Erika Fiola, Program Development Consultant, Key Strategic Group, who led the cohort. 

Participants received support throughout the program, including daily lunch, bus fare assistance, and a stipend of up to $2,000 for attendance. They also completed certifications such as the WashU Career Readiness, the WorkKeys Career Readiness, First Aid/CPR/AED, OSHA 10. Rounding out the curriculum were financial literacy workshops and interview preparation to help them build confidence as they approached the job market.

The program concluded with a graduation ceremony on December 16 featuring remarks from leaders at Kranzberg Arts Foundation, Logic Systems, and WashU CAPS, celebrating the accomplishments of the cohort and outlining next steps for employment opportunities. As ArtWorQ came to a close, participants left with new skills, professional connections, and a clearer path toward careers in the region’s vibrant arts and entertainment sector.

“Since 2006, KAF  has been committed to providing local, emerging artists and community arts organizations with the vital infrastructure, including space and tools, to perform and showcase their work. Now, we’ve taken that commitment into the broader arts and entertainment community by supporting those who perform skilled jobs within the industry,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen.

16 Dec 2025

‘To STL With Love’ – Celebrating Hip Hop Culture in St. Louis” Continues through January 2026 at Sophie’s Artist Lounge

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St. Louis Public Radio’s St. Louis on the Air recently featured the landmark exhibition, ‘To STL With Love’ – Celebrating Hip Hop Culture in St. Louis,” on the show with an interview with curator and St. Louis native Kris Blackmon. Produced by Blackmon in collaboration with KAF, this thorough, multidisciplinary exhibition documents, celebrates, and uplifts the artists, venues, media, and cultural moments that have shaped the St. Louis hip-hop scene over the past several decades. It runs through January 2026 at Sophie’s Artist Lounge. 

“Hip-hop is more than music—it is a cultural force that has shaped generations through dance, fashion, art, and community activism. St. Louis has a rich and underrepresented history in hip-hop that extends beyond the mainstream success of national artists,” says Blackmon.

From underground collectives to the DJs, breakers, and media pioneers who sustained the culture, To STL With Love tells the full story of St. Louis’ contributions to this global movement. It features original visual work, photography, and historical memorabilia and artifacts from over 30 St. Louis-based artists and creatives, including Pacia Elaine, Brock Seals, Damon Davis, John Harrington and Trackstar the DJ. It is sure to stir nostalgia in anyone who grew up loving St. Louis hip hop.

15 Dec 2025

Ken & Nancy Kranzberg Receive the 2025 St. Louis Award

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On Wednesday, December 17, Ken and Nancy Kranzberg will be presented with the prestigious 2025 St. Louis Award for their transformational leadership and philanthropic support of the arts in the St. Louis Region. The Kranzbergs were chosen by members of the award’s selection committee. 

The St. Louis Award was established anonymously in 1931 with a purpose to honor “the resident of metropolitan St. Louis who has contributed the most outstanding service for its development or…shall have performed such services as to bring greatest honor to the community. Funds were provided by the founder to maintain the continuance of this annual award. Only after his death in 1960 was the anonymous donor identified as David P. Wohl, a leading St. Louis Philanthropist who during his life had set high standards of service to the entire community. 

Past recipients of the St. Louis Award include prominent local figures such as: Jack Taylor, John Danforth, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, James S. McDonnell, Leon R. Strauss, Lou Brock and August A. Busch, Jr., among others.

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