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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Developing a World-Class Arts District to Fuel Economic Growth Back in June 2023, arts journalist Chadd Scott penned an article for Forbes titled America’s Most Exciting Emerging Arts District Is In… St Louis? Scott ruminated about what St. Louis arts aficionados have known for some years now – The Grand Center Arts District is a … Continue reading →Developing a World-Class Arts District to Fuel Economic Growth