The fifth annual MATI Conference and Festival was a smashing success with crowds of approximately 17,000 gathering in Grand Center across the weekend-long event September 12 through 14. 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, the Laz Jazz Artist Lounge stage programmed by venerable St. Louis band Brothers Lazaroff, and the introduction of MATI Places, extending programming into the full Grand Center Arts District. All were well-received by audiences, signaling an openness to MATI’s continued growth and development. While main stage pass holders enjoyed world-class headliners like Common, Patti LaBelle, Branford Marsalis and De La Soul, people throughout the neighborhood were treated with free or low-cost ...

A St. Louis native and graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Prep, Curatorial and Digital Media Assistant Chris Pulphus joined KAF’s Visual Arts team in January 2025 and was drawn to the Foundation due to its continuous support of local artists and the massive infrastructure KAF brings to the St. Louis artist community. What is your favorite part of your job at KAF? Helping artists bring their visions to life is my favorite part of the job. It's an honor to be a part of that process and see all of our hard work come to fruition. How do you feel your role directly supports the KAF mission? My role consistently embodies the KAF mission because my work directly supports artists. Whether I'm making sure they're getting paid, have ...

MATI 2025 is just three days away! It’s not too late to join the best party of the year. Weekend, Daily and MATI Places passes are still available, as are full memberships with added perks. Whether you’re a loyal attendee or it’s your first time, this year offers new and exciting experiences for everyone with programming that extends outside of the main festival footprint throughout the Grand Center Arts District. The weekend features more than 100 national, regional and St. Louis-based performances and presentations across 19 stages and venues. One of the best parts of MATI is discovering sights and sounds you may not have been familiar with before that will soon become favorites. Arrive early and allow time to roam and take it all ...

Fall is an amazing time for the arts in St. Louis! A variety of theatre and dance productions presented by KAF Resident companies are set to grace our stages this fall. The Foundation is proud to partner with a number of organizations producing world-class art in St. Louis, providing an intersection of arts venues and work environments that serve a full range of artistic processes. Show your support by checking out a performance. “The fall schedule provides a wealth of opportunities to see some of the best performing arts St. Louis has to offer from some of our treasured independent theatre and dance companies,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “Our intimate theatre spaces allow patrons to be up close and immersed in the action.” Fall ...

It’s been nearly six years since High Low first opened its doors at 3301 Washington Ave. in the Grand Center Arts District. Conceived as a home for the literary arts and a venue for freedom of expression through spoken and written word, High Low features a library and cafe; a state-of-the-art listening room for spoken performances and events; a modern visual arts gallery; and resident organization office suites and collaborative workspaces.  On any given day, the cafe’s long library tables and comfy sofas and chairs are filled with SLU students and neighborhood professionals, studying, collaborating and conversing amid its shelves of books while sipping made-to-order drinks from Blueprint Coffee. Each Thursday from 12-1 p.m., the Listening Room opens for the free weekly High Noon speakers ...

Join us for an inspiring Artist Talk with Kranzberg Artist In Residence Moraa Nyaribo, a passionate fashion and textile artist whose work beautifully intertwines cultural tradition with innovative design. With seven years in the Kenyan fashion industry and an MFA degree in Fibers, Moraa brings a rich background to her work. She masterfully preserves traditional practices through her unique textile explorations, drawing deep inspiration from the colors, textures, and draperies she encountered in her mother's boutique. Moraa's art is a heartfelt tribute to her ancestors, recreating the textures, shapes, and emotions of traditional body adornment. Through unconventional textiles, she simulates skin, hairdos, and beaded jewelry, transforming forgotten traditions into stunning surfaces that challenge perceptions and celebrate the beauty of her heritage. Don't miss this opportunity ...

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 ...

From its humble beginnings in 2014 in a small storefront location on North Grand Boulevard, to its current state-of-the-art home inside The Grandel, The Dark Room has provided a unique space for St. Louis musicians and photographers to hone their craft and for patrons of the arts to experience new sights and sounds in an intimate setting while supporting the mission of KAF. A premiere live music and art venue and a staple of the Grand Center Arts District, The Dark Room features a variety of musical performances each weekend by top local musicians and rotating photography exhibits that capture the true essence of St. Louis. Enhancing the experience, the full-service bar offers a creative cocktail menu and select shows feature a delectable menu of ...

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 ...