Artists First
Artists First is a Maplewood, Missouri-based non-profit art studio founded in 2013 that serves over 400 artists with and without disabilities in the St. Louis region through inclusive studio programs, exhibitions, commissioned murals, and branded merchandise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersMaplewood, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Artists First does
Artists First is a community-based, non-profit art studio founded in 2013 by Executive Director Sheila Suderwalla and headquartered at 7190 Manchester Road in Maplewood, Missouri. The organization serves a community of more than 400 artists with and without disabilities in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, operating a portfolio of programs that includes Adult Open Studio, Youth Studio (ages 5–18), Creative Vocations for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Artists First for Veterans, Healing Arts for individuals in recovery from trauma or addiction, the Opening Minds Through Art initiative for people with dementia, and the In View Mural Project for commissioned public and commercial work.
The studio's operating model is centered on a non-traditional, strengths-based learning environment built on the social model of disability, with minimal-touch facilitation that prioritizes artist autonomy. Programs are delivered in-house at the Maplewood studio and distributed through partner venues such as Schlafly Bottleworks, City Museum, Webster Arts, and the St. Louis History Museum, supplemented by an e-commerce shop selling original artwork and Creative AF branded merchandise (mugs, apparel, totes, tumblers, and accessories).
The organization sustains operations through a diversified revenue mix: charitable contributions and foundation grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Missouri Arts Council, St. Louis Regional Arts Commission, and The Kaufman Fund; an annual fundraising gala; sliding-scale program fees (Youth Studio at $150 per 6-week session); merchandise and artwork sales via the online shop; and commissioned mural revenue. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025) and was recognized with the Arts Innovator Women's Visionary Award in 2023.
Artists First firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Artists First
- Legal name
- Artists First
- Website
- https://artistsfirststl.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Artists First is a Maplewood, Missouri-based non-profit art studio founded in 2013 that serves over 400 artists with and without disabilities in the St. Louis region through inclusive studio programs, exhibitions, commissioned murals, and branded merchandise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Artists First industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Inclusive Community Arts and Disability Arts Services
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture) (EDAMAAAA)
Keywords
Where Artists First is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maplewood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Artists First business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. Includes annual fundraising gala and various campaign appeals.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of artwork and branded merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, tote bags, socks, tumblers through e-commerce shop. Artists receive commission from sales.
- Program Fees: Tuition fees for Youth Studio program. Sliding scale available for accessibility. Financial assistance provided by Missouri Arts Council and St. Louis Regional Arts Commission.
- Art Commissions: Murals and commissioned artwork created by artists, with proceeds supporting artist compensation and art supplies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Youth Studio Program - 6 week sessions (fall, winter/spring, summer) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - Mugs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - Apparel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Merchandise - Bags and Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Artwork - Exhibition Work |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Artists First product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Artists First is a non-profit, community-based art studio in Maplewood, Missouri that delivers inclusive creative programming for artists with and without disabilities. Its core offerings include the Adult Open Studio, Youth Studio (ages 5-18), Creative Vocations for artists with intellectual developmental disabilities, Artists First for Veterans, Healing Arts, and the Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) program, supplemented by commissioned murals and an e-commerce shop selling artist-created merchandise and original artwork.
Product overview
Artists First is a community-based, non-profit art studio offering a portfolio of programs and services for artists of all abilities. The core offerings include Adult Open Studio, Youth Studio (ages 5-18), Creative Vocations for artists with intellectual developmental disabilities, Artists First for Veterans, Healing Arts, Opening Minds Through Art (for dementia), In View Mural Project, and Art Activities. The organization operates an e-commerce shop selling merchandise including mugs (You Are Enough, Flower, Disco Kitty, Poppies, STL, Think Differently, Black Golden Girls), t-shirts (Creative AF, Think Differently, Tie-Dye, Disco Kitty, Monster Bash, Alehra), crewnecks (Flower), totes (Artists First, Think Differently, Monster Bash), tumblers, socks, and fanny packs. The shop also features original artwork and exhibition pieces including A1 Collective, A1 Youth Collective, and artist collaborations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adult Open Studio Non-traditional learning environment that celebrates the power of expression and encourages artists with disabilities to explore their unique artistic voices through individual growth and autonomy. Available to adult artists at the Maplewood studio.
- Youth Studio Guided creative instruction program for youth ages 5-18, with and without disabilities, exploring creativity, emotional well-being, and community connection. Sliding scale tuition at $150 per 6-week session.
- Creative Vocations Professional development initiative for artists with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) to realize their full potential. Supported by the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources.
- Artists First for Veterans Non-traditional creative support program for current and former Armed Services members supporting self-identity, self-expression, and community reintegration. Free for St. Louis County and City residents; held during Veterans Open Studio hours.
- Healing Arts Trauma-responsive program supporting individuals in recovery from trauma, chronic health issues, or addiction through creative expression and mindfulness practices.
- Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) 8-week intergenerational program revealing the creative capacities of people with dementia through facilitated art-making. Developed by Dr. Elizabeth 'Like' Lokon.
- In View Mural Project Community beautification initiative providing custom hand-painted murals for businesses, residences, and public spaces, with proceeds supporting artist compensation.
- Art Activities (Group Programs) Facilitated art activities for groups including birthday parties and staff-building retreats. Designed for community groups and organizations seeking inclusive creative experiences.
- Art Commissions Artwork commissions providing financial empowerment and professional growth for artists with disabilities, with proceeds supporting artist compensation and art supplies.
- Artists First Shop (Merchandise) Online store selling art-based merchandise including mugs, t-shirts, tote bags, crewnecks, tumblers, socks, fanny packs, and original artwork prints created by Artists First artists. Artists receive commission from sales.
- Exhibition Work (Original Artwork) Original artwork and limited edition prints created by Artists First artists available for purchase, with canvas artwork ranging from $150 for A1 Youth Collective to $250 for LaTausha Cox collaboration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serving over 400 artists in the community
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Artists First
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Artists First technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Artists First partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.
- UMSLminorUniversity partnership contributing to community upliftment through art.
- Places for PeopleminorAgency partner collaborating to widen reach and deepen impact in community.
- Schlafly BottleworksminorEvent venue partner hosting Sundaze at Schlafly and Art Inside events.
- City MuseumminorEvent venue hosting City Nights Local Dive fundraiser.
- Webster ArtsminorVenue partner hosting All the Feels exhibition.
- St. Louis History MuseumminorVenue partner hosting Festability accessibility celebration event.
- JoyaminorRetail partner in Webster Groves hosting pop-up events for Artists First merchandise.
- Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts NetworkmajorSupports Artists First for Veterans program, enabling free services for St. Louis County and City veterans.
- Opening Minds Through Art (OMA)minorEvidence-based art initiative collaboration developed by Dr. Elizabeth 'Like' Lokon for people with dementia.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Artists First competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arts & Services for the Disabled (ASD): Long Beach, CA-based nonprofit offering visual arts, performing arts, and creative enterprise programs for individuals with disabilities. Closest direct comparable in mission, programming mix (studio + exhibition + commissions), and nonprofit arts-services model.
- Pure Vision Arts: New York-based nonprofit art studio and gallery supporting artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable operating model with studio access, exhibition, and artist development programming.
- Creativity Explored: San Francisco-based nonprofit visual arts studio and gallery for artists with developmental disabilities. Operates an open-studio model, sells artwork, and runs exhibition and merchandising programs — structurally similar to Artists First.
- Exceptional Minds: Los Angeles-area nonprofit providing art school, vocational training, and a working studio for young adults on the autism spectrum. Direct comparable in combining studio practice with professional development and earned revenue (commissions, media production).
Broad incumbents
- National Arts and Disability Center (UCLA): National center promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts through research, training, and resources. Operates in the same inclusive-arts category from an academic/incumbent posture.
- VSA (a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts): National leader on arts, disability, and education, providing programming, grants, and resources across the U.S. Wider scope and federal backing, but operates in the same 'arts for people with disabilities' category.
Others
- Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), Miami University Scripps Gerontology Center: Evidence-based intergenerational art program for people with dementia that Artists First already partners with. Functions as a methodology/licensing provider in the same operating space.
- Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network: Federal network of clinical/community arts programs for military veterans and their families. Artists First is already a Creative Forces partner; relevant as a funder/network rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Artists First social profiles
Digital presenceArtists First financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Artists First leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Artists First funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Artists First M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Artists First
What does Artists First do?
Artists First is a non-profit, community-based art studio in Maplewood, Missouri that delivers inclusive creative programming for artists with and without disabilities. Its core offerings include the Adult Open Studio, Youth Studio (ages 5-18), Creative Vocations for artists with intellectual developmental disabilities, Artists First for Veterans, Healing Arts, and the Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) program, supplemented by commissioned murals and an e-commerce shop selling artist-created merchandise and original artwork.
Is Artists First a public or private company?
Artists First is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Artists First founded?
Artists First was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Artists First based?
Artists First is headquartered in Maplewood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Artists First make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, program Fees and art Commissions.
Who are Artists First's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arts & Services for the Disabled (ASD), Pure Vision Arts, Creativity Explored and Exceptional Minds. Broad incumbents are National Arts and Disability Center (UCLA) and VSA (a program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). Others are Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), Miami University Scripps Gerontology Center and Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network.
Does Artists First have an API?
No public API is recorded for Artists First.
What industry is Artists First in?
Artists First's product category is Inclusive Community Arts and Disability Arts Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAC, Arts Education & Community Arts Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMAAAA, Visual Arts Instruction (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture). Its NAICS code is 61161.