The weekend of Sept 12-14, the Grand Center Arts District will once again transform into a fully activated artistic playground as the MATI (Music at the Intersection) Festival and Conference returns for its fifth year with a diverse, roots-inspired and decades-spanning artist lineup, a new footprint, and expanded opportunities to engage. Headliners include 3x Grammy winning rapper Common with superproducer Pete Rock, the godmother of soul Patti LaBelle, New Orleans R&B singer-songwriter Lucky Daye, neo-soul R&B singer-producer Leon Thomas, legendary hip-hop group De La Soul, and jazz great Branford Marsalis. Headliner performances will take place across three MATI Main Stages: The Big Top, The Sovereign (set to open fall 2025 at 3300 Washington Avenue) and Field Stage.  The former Washington Avenue stage is being removed to ...

Construction is currently underway on KAF’s latest development, The Key Burger Bar and Boogie, set to officially open in October 2025. Designed to be a new favorite neighborhood hang, the fast-casual burger bar will offer an affordable menu of delicious smashburgers and specialty toasted ravs, along with a great selection of cocktails and craft beers, while the adjoining venue will feature the region's favorite party and dance bands, as well as line and salsa dancing. KAF’s art/mural program will be prominently featured inside and around the exterior of the building.   Daily progress is being made inside the adjacent historic buildings, located at 3221-3223 and 3225 Olive Street, rescued from demolition by KAF through an agreement with Saint Louis University and support from the Landmarks Association ...

Every Thursday at noon, a group of loyal patrons and newcomers gathers in the intimate Listening Room at High Low to hear from St. Louis thought leaders from across the arts, cultural, and educational spectrum at the High Noon speakers series. Some bring lunches, others just come for the dynamic presentations and performances in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Karen Lucas, the program’s curator, says the crowd averages around 30 people weekly, but some programs are more popular. A recent lunchtime performance of "Plays for the Planet," produced by Joan Lipkin of That Uppity Theatre Company with the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, drew in around 80 audience members. Though High Noon has only been taking place at High Low under KAF leadership since 2022, the ...

Set to open in September 2025, The Sovereign is St. Louis’ newest independent concert venue, created in partnership with and operated by Old Rock House. The 1,200-capacity venue created in a fully renovated historic building on Washington Avenue, will make its debut as one of the three main stages for MATI 2025. The Sovereign’s 40' x 32' stage is currently being built—its wood framing now in place and ready for poured concrete.  Two dedicated backstage green rooms with bathrooms/showers will provide a highly accommodating space for performers and a hospitality suite will host meet and greets and other VIP events.  “My singular goal with The Sovereign is to embody the independent spirit of musical artists through a physical venue. This place has been an absolute labor ...

Those who have attended KAF’s  Wednesday Night Jazz Jam at The Dark Room know just how special this free weekly community event can be. July marks the 13th Anniversary of Jazz Jam bringing the art of jazz within reach for people of all ages and backgrounds and helping to preserve and cultivate jazz music in St. Louis.  Musician, composer and educator Bob DeBoo leads the Jazz Jam each week, using connections from his long music career to individually select rising-stars and St. Louis jazz legends, as well as Nationally-recognized artists touring through the region, to provide the opening performance. The diverse audience is then invited to participate, resulting in everyone from an eight-year-old budding pianist all the way up to a well-seasoned octogenarian tenor sax ...

Sophie’s Artist Lounge is thrilled to announce the new DJ Residents for its 2025–2026 season—a dynamic class of 10 artists whose energy, creativity, and range will elevate the sound and soul of the space. In response to an overwhelming number of applications, Sophie’s has expanded the residency to make more room for more emerging and established voices to share their gifts. Starting in July, these DJs will join the weekly and monthly rotation at Sophie’s, curating vibes on both weekends and weeknights. Meet the 2025–2026 DJ Residents: DJ PBNJEFFY Blending hip-hop, house, and funk with precision and play, PBNJEFFY commands the room with sets that are both technical and full of heart. DJ KC Mackey A connoisseur of house and disco, KC Mackey spins joyful, high-vibe sets that celebrate ...

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 ...

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 ...

“‘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 ...

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 ...