Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

What Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis does

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered at 4220 Duncan Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the largest public funder of the arts in the St. Louis region, distributing more than 7,500 grants totaling over $120 million to artists and arts organizations since inception. RAC's funding is anchored by a statutory allocation of four-fifteenths of the hotel/motel occupancy tax collected in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, which supplies 97% of its income, with the remainder drawn from charitable donations and one-time federal allocations such as the $10.6 million ARPA grant received in 2022.

RAC's programmatic offerings span multiple lines. Its core grantmaking includes Artist Support Grants for individual creatives, Organizational Grants providing unrestricted operating support to nonprofit arts organizations, and Program Support Grants for non-arts organizations running arts programming. Capacity-building programs include the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute (scheduled to spin off into an independent nonprofit in 2026) and the Artist INC program delivered with the Mid-America Arts Alliance. Public art initiatives include InSITE STL, the Downtown STL Public Art Initiative, the St. Louis Mural Project (28 murals across 14 wards), and the St. Louis Film Project. Digital platforms include Culturalyst, an artist directory and networking resource, and StLouisArts.org, a cultural tourism site reaching nearly 3 million users since spring 2023. Research products include the Creatives Count study (1,500+ respondents) and the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study documenting $868 million in sector economic impact and 12,000 supported jobs.

RAC operates with a lean staff of 1-10 employees led by President and CEO Vanessa Cooksey, supported by a Board of Commissioners. Its distribution model combines digital self-serve application portals (Blackbaud), in-person engagement at its City Foundry location, town halls, the CULTURA conference, and the Arts & Health Symposium. Revenue concentration on a single tax base has historically created cyclical exposure, notably a 62% revenue decline in 2020 from COVID-related hotel occupancy collapse. In 2026, RAC paused regular grantmaking to develop a 2026-2030 Strategic Roadmap while simultaneously facing a Missouri State Auditor's formal audit.

Name

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

Legal name

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

Website

https://racstl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis is the largest public funder of the arts in St. Louis, distributing grants to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations using hotel/motel occupancy tax revenue and operating programs in grantmaking, training, public art, and cultural tourism.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts Grantmaking

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC), Cultural Centers & Community Cultural Organizations (BPAGAHAD)

Keywords

• Arts grantmaking
• Public arts funding
• Nonprofit arts support
• Community arts training
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax: RAC receives four-fifteenths of the hotel/motel room tax revenue earned in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, which constitutes 97% of RAC's income. This public funding is the primary source for grants to the arts community.
2. Donations and Contributions: The organization accepts charitable donations from individuals and organizations to support local artists and arts organizations, functioning as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN #43-1363303.
3. ARPA Federal Funding: One-time American Rescue Plan Act funding of $10.6 million received from the City of St. Louis for arts sector pandemic recovery, distributed through Revenue Replacement and Tourism Recovery grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RAC is the largest public funder of the arts in St. Louis, distributing hotel/motel occupancy tax revenue through Artist Support Grants, Organizational Grants, Program Support Grants, and ARPA for the Arts grants to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations in St. Louis City and County. It also delivers the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute, public art initiatives such as InSITE STL and the St. Louis Mural Project, and artist/cultural-tourism platforms including Culturalyst and StLouisArts.org.

Product overview

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) is the largest public funder of the arts in St. Louis, functioning as a nonprofit grantmaking organization rather than a traditional product company. RAC's offerings center around grant programs (Artist Support Grants, Organizational Grants, and Program Support Grants), training programs (Community Arts Training Institute), and various public art initiatives (InSITE STL, Downtown STL Public Art Initiative, St. Louis Mural Project). Additional platforms include Culturalyst (an artist networking resource), StLouisArts.org (cultural tourism website), and research initiatives like Creatives Count and Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 studies. Since 1985, RAC has provided more than 7,300 grants worth over $115 million to support the St. Louis arts and culture sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• St. Louis Film Project (STLFP): An initiative led by RAC in partnership with Continuity, funded through ARPA for the Arts, supporting the region's growing film industry with five local filmmakers creating original films.
• Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute
• St. Louis Mural Project

Products and services

• Artist Support Grants Flexible funding for individual artists of all backgrounds and disciplines in St. Louis City and County to advance careers and complete creative projects.
• Organizational Grants One-year, unrestricted, renewable, and flexible grants supporting day-to-day operations or programs of nonprofit arts and culture organizations in St. Louis City and County.
• Program Support Grants One-year program or project support grants for non-arts organizations or fiscally-sponsored projects to support production or presentation of artistic activities in St. Louis.
• ARPA for the Arts A $10.6 million grant program distributing American Rescue Plan Act federal funding through Revenue and Income Replacement Grants and Tourism Recovery Grants to artists and arts organizations for pandemic recovery.
• Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute A comprehensive training program preparing artists and community partners to collaborate in creating and sustaining transformative arts programs in under-resourced settings, having trained over 350 social workers, educators, community activists, and artists since 1997.
• Culturalyst A platform connecting creatives in St. Louis City and County with the community through an artist directory, calls for art, residencies, and networking opportunities.
• StLouisArts.org A dedicated cultural tourism website showcasing St. Louis' arts scene, featuring artists, arts organizations, venues, and events.
• InSITE STL A collection of site-specific, temporary public artworks in Downtown St. Louis developed by St. Louis-based artists, including digital projections, window murals, and LED installations.
• Downtown STL Public Art Initiative An initiative leading efforts to bring more public art to Downtown St. Louis, implementing the Downtown STL Public Art Plan to build a culturally vibrant downtown.
• St. Louis Mural Project A tourism recovery grant initiative that placed 28 murals across St. Louis (2 in each of the 14 wards), funded through ARPA for the Arts, supporting local artists and beautifying neighborhoods.
• St. Louis Film Project (STLFP) An initiative in partnership with Continuity, funded through ARPA for the Arts, supporting five local filmmakers to create films that enhance St. Louis' reputation as a destination for filmmakers and storytellers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $120 million distributed through 7,500+ grants since 1985
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CulturalystcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership connects artists of all disciplines in St. Louis City and County to each other and the larger community through an artist directory, calls for art, residencies, and networking capabilities.
• Great Rivers GreenwaymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration provided CAT Institute cohort with hands-on experience, with Great Rivers Greenway serving as eager partners for team projects from theory to real-world application.
• St. Louis BattlehawksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Launched inaugural 50/50 raffle initiative selling over $130,000 in tickets, raising tens of thousands for RAC and other local nonprofits.
• 4 Hands Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership created limited-edition Artist Can Series hiring five local artists to design unique cans sold across St. Louis.
• City MuseumminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership on Spindles in the City fundraising event and City Nights summer series highlighting local artists.
• ContinuitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership led the St. Louis Film Project (STLFP), an ARPA-funded initiative supporting five local filmmakers in producing documentary and narrative films to enhance St. Louis' reputation as a destination for filmmakers and storytellers.
• Music at the IntersectionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRAC is a founding partner of this music festival, supporting for four years to create welcoming environment and special gathering for St. Louisans.
• Evolution FestivalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAs founding partner, RAC has worked with and financially supported the festival since inception, hosting an Artist Village.
• St. Louis Symphony OrchestracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRAC was a proud presenter of SLSO's Chuck Berry celebration and has supported the orchestra since 1985.
• Contemporary Art Museum St. LouismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on convening focused on arts and creative thinking's role in civic participation at local, regional, and national levels.
• St. Louis Sports CommissionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership brought local artistry to the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Louis.
• City of St. Louis Community Development Administration (CDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership created the ARPA for the Arts grants program to distribute $10.6 million in federal funding quickly and effectively.
• Americans for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 study measuring economic impact of nonprofit arts and culture industry.
• WolfBrowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted the Creatives Count research study exploring practices, goals, income, resources, and barriers of St. Louis region creatives.
• CAT Institute Alumni and Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransitioning CAT Institute to independent nonprofit status in 2026, with task force comprising alumni, faculty, and current program lead.
• Downtown STL, Inc.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerEx officio member of Downtown STL Public Art Initiative Advisory Committee working to bring more public art to Downtown St. Louis.
• Explore St. LouismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEx officio member of Downtown STL Public Art Initiative Advisory Committee, supporting regional tourism and arts promotion.
• PGAVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory committee member for Downtown STL Public Art Initiative.
• Mid-America Arts AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrought Artist INC program to St. Louis community, tailored for working artists of any discipline.
• Tourism Recovery Grant RecipientscoreOthers21 nonprofit arts organizations including The Black Rep, Circus Flora, Contemporary Art Museum, Jazz St. Louis, The Muny, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and others received one-time grants to aid tourism recovery.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Houston Arts Alliance: Local arts council managing city and private funding for Houston arts and cultural programming. Directly comparable as a city-affiliated grantmaker with municipal hotel occupancy tax support and similar artist/organizational grant programs.
• Mid-America Arts Alliance: Regional arts service organization serving six states including Missouri, providing grants, training, and artist residency programs. Directly comparable as a regional public-affiliated arts funder serving overlapping geography with RAC.
• Arts Council of Indianapolis: Regional arts council funding arts organizations and individual artists throughout Indianapolis via public and private funding sources. Comparable as a regional grantmaking body with similar artist and organizational support programs.
• Los Angeles County Arts Commission: County-level arts commission providing grants and services to arts organizations and artists across Los Angeles County. Comparable in mandate structure, scale of distribution, and reliance on public funding sources.
• Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events: Municipal department administering cultural grants, public art, and events programming in Chicago. Operates a similar hybrid grantmaking and public art model to RAC, but at city government rather than independent nonprofit scale.
• Greater Columbus Arts Council: Municipal arts council distributing hotel/lodging tax revenue to arts organizations in Columbus, Ohio. Operates an almost identical public-funder model with grants to artists and organizations, alongside community programs.
• San Francisco Arts Commission: Municipal arts commission funding individual artists, organizations, and public art across San Francisco. Comparable as a public arts funder with both grantmaking and public art programming aligned with RAC's hybrid model.

Broad incumbents

• National Endowment for the Arts: Federal agency providing grants and partnerships to arts organizations nationwide. The escalation of its 2025 funding rescission directly impacted RAC's grantee ecosystem, making it a functionally significant peer in the same funding chain.
• Americans for the Arts: National nonprofit organization supporting arts and culture through advocacy, research, and grantmaking (including the AEP6 study which RAC partners on). A broader organization that RAC collaborates with and is structurally comparable to at a national scale.

Emerging players

• Pasadena Arts Council: Smaller regional arts council providing grants and arts programming in Pasadena, California. Comparable as a community-rooted arts funder with similar grant programs, though operating at a meaningfully smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RACStLouis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnQDsBuNmSQhLx99MNEDmng
• Facebookfacebook.com/RegionalArtsCommission
• Instagraminstagram.com/stlouisarts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-arts-commission-of-st-louis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis