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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

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!

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.

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.

Photo Credit: Taylor Marrie

KAF is pleased to announce the new cohort for its 2026-2027 Kranzberg Artist in Residency (KAIR) program in Visual Arts, whose 18-month residency begins in January 2026. This year’s incoming group—Song Watkins Park, Hayveyah McGowan, Kenneth Randle, and Sukanya Mani—brings a dynamic range of perspectives and mixed-method practices that reflect the evolving landscape of contemporary art in St. Louis.

Throughout their residency, these artists will have the opportunity to expand their creative practices, develop new work, and engage directly with the community through exhibitions, programs, and conversations supported by the Foundation. Their innovative approaches and commitment to exploration will contribute meaningful dialogue and fresh energy to our artistic ecosystem. 

“We encourage our community to connect with their work as they begin this next chapter and to follow their creative journeys as they continue producing impactful and thought-provoking art throughout their time with the Foundation,” says 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.”

The Visual Arts KAIR is 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.

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

“I am truly excited to have been accepted into the Kranzberg Artist In Residency program. Being awarded this opportunity affirms both my creative journey and my drive to challenge myself to become a better artist. This experience allows me to fully immerse myself in an environment that values artistic growth, collaboration, and cultural impact,” says new resident Kenneth Randle.” I am looking forward to utilizing the resources and support provided through this program, as I believe they will help strengthen both my artistic practice and my professional development.”

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.

The Market @ The Walls Off Washington Manager Eric Schoolcraft was introduced to KAF in 2016 as a part-time bartender in the Foundation’s various stage and theater venues, but it wasn’t until 2024 that he took on his full-time role helping get the Market up and running in time for the 2024 MATI Festival and Conference. He’s been at the helm of the Market ever since as the friendly face patrons are greeted with as they enter to begin a tour of The Walls or purchase KAF venue tickets and merchandise 

What drew you to the organization?

Bartending was a good fit as I pursued my fine art efforts more seriously. Meanwhile, I had quickly fallen in love with the KAF mission. Eight years of watching it grow with fierce intent—and grow and GROW—grew into me knowing several venues’ ins and outs, clients and residents. All of that time being a public face for KAF had transformed me into something of an unofficial ambassador. A few “KAFamily” members had been trying to get me to take on a full-time position for several of those years. Running the Market @ The Walls Off Washington seemed like the first good fit for me. 

 

What is your favorite part of your job at KAF?

The enthusiasm and  looks of surprise on the faces of the general public when I get to enlighten them about KAF’s mission, upcoming exhibitions, musical performances, theater productions, and/or special events that KAF’s amazing team brings to life is pretty gratifying. Not to mention the variety of possibilities of how they can be a part of it all.

 

How do you feel your role directly supports the KAF mission?

The murals at the Walls Off Washington are a more immediately accessible form of fine art to most people who may not be regular arts patrons or gallery exhibition attendees. I get to be a public face that welcomes the everyman to the arts, bypassing any perceptions of snooty gatekeepers one might typically encounter in a similar situation. Hopefully they’re enticed or curious enough about all of the other things happening in KAF’s orbit to step further into what’s going on. Even if they don’t, hopefully they’re not as intimidated by the next opportunity to engage the arts.

 

What do you love most about the St. Louis arts community?

I always say there are only two degrees of separation in St. Louis, but I’m forever surprised by the number of artists I meet here on a regular basis. Though there is a broad spectrum of lofty to low-brow creativity in a seemingly endless variety of disciplines, my favorite thing about St. Louis’ arts community is the amazing support and encouragement they share freely with each other.

 

What do you personally do (outside of work) to engage in the arts?

I love to see live music and theater, and my husband and I spend a lot of Friday evenings gallery hopping from one exhibition opening to another. However, most of my (outside of work) arts engagement is spent being a visual artist. When asked about my work, I’ll often joke that I call it “Sharpies® On Trash.”. More specifically, I use markers (many kinds) to render urban icons, cityscapes, figures and portraits onto collages of scraps, thrifted, found and repurposed objects that might otherwise end up in a landfill with the (hopeful) intention of turning it into something unique and beautiful. There’s enough junk with potential in the world that I shouldn’t ever be forced into settling to work on canvas.

 

Who are some of your favorite St. Louis artists/musicians/creators that people should check out?

There is way too much amazing local talent to choose even a long list of favorites! My recommendation is simply to go see a play from a local company, check out a gallery group show of local artists, and support local music. There is no shortage of amazing art and artists in St. Louis. What’s often missing is you — the local market for all that’s available.

A new exhibition on display at the KAF Gallery inside the St. Louis County Library’s Clark Family Branch features works by the Kranzberg 2024 – 2025 Artists in Residence. KAF has long served as a leading patron of the arts in St. Louis, aligning resources to support and advance the city’s vibrant creative renaissance.

The Foundation has redefined and expanded its residency programs to offer artists the space, tools, and proximity needed to deepen their practices and share their work with the public. The residencies are influenced by artist need and evolve through ongoing assessment to ensure continued relevance and impact.

This new exhibition presents recent work by past 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, and Vincent Stemmler. St. Louis artists Kenneth Randle and Brock Seals are also featured. 

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.

“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.”

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.

“I’m ecstatic to see our visual residents lifted at the Clark Family Branch of the County Library. It further solidifies our intention of making sure that, not only can our community members have access to world class art, but also that we are going into all communities and creating that access point. There’s no better way to accomplish this than within our county library system,” says Larry Morris, KAF Director, Programs and Partnerships.

For more information about the visual arts residency, visit kranzbergartsfoundation.org/the-call.

Forbes art and travel writer Chadd Scott recently put St. Louis’ art scene back in the national spotlight with his article, Why St. Louis Is A World-Class Art Destination. The article delves into the Saint Louis Art Museum’s landmark exhibition, Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea, running through January 25, 2026, as a major get for St. Louis. It also explores the bevy of free art experiences offered by St. Louis institutions including the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, The Pulitzer, Laumeier Sculpture Park, and KAF’s own Legends’ Gallery and the Walls Off Washington. 

 

This isn’t the first time Scott has touted St. Louis, and the Grand Center Arts District in particular. In June 2023, Scott published his article titled, America’s Most Exciting Emerging Arts District is in…St. Louis?, in which he touted everything the district has to offer from the Angad Arts Hotel to Powell Hall, CAM, The Pulitzer, Jazz St. Louis. The Walls Off Washington, High Low, MATI and more. With his enthusiasm, Scott let the world in on the “secret” many in St. Louis already know—that the arts thrive here. 

 

“Two years ago, Chadd called Grand Center the most exciting ‘emerging,’ arts district in America. Since that time, I believe we have grown further into the most exciting arts district period,” says KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen. “We are no longer ‘emerging’ – we are here and drawing attention and visitors throughout St. Louis, across the region and from around the country. Our arts scene currently rivals those in any major U.S. city and the passion of our artists is unmatched.”

 

In its fifth year, the newly expanded MATI Festival & Conference also received national attention, with stellar write-ups in Essence and PopCulture.com. MATI’s new format brought the entire Grand Center Arts District community together to offer programming spanning music, visual arts, poetry, theatre and more.

 

“As our arts institutions and artists continue to move forward in the spirit of collaboration, there is no limit to the heights we can reach,” Hansen says.