ARPA Impact

DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED

AWARDS TO ARTISTS

AWARDS TO ORGANIZATIONS

FULL DISTRIBUTION OF ARPA FUNDING IN 15 MONTHS

After a historic 18-month regional advocacy campaign, the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RACSTL) received $10.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the City of St. Louis as a result of the passage of Board Bill #66 in October 2022. The federal funding came at a critical time following a dramatic downturn for the arts and culture sector brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The arts buoyed our economy and our well-being during the pandemic, getting people out of their homes and spending money in the community. The arts infused our lives with joy when it was hard to find, staved off isolation and loneliness when it was most persistent and increased life satisfaction when it lagged the most,” said Vanessa Cooksey, President and CEO of RACSTL. “When we invest in the arts, we are investing in an industry that stimulates the economy, supports local jobs and contributes to building healthy and vibrant communities.”

In partnership with the city’s Community Development Administration (CDA), RACSTL created the ARPA for the Arts grants program to distribute these vital funds quickly and effectively. ARPA for the Arts grantmaking opportunities were organized into two key areas (click on each area to learn more):

REVENUE
REPLACEMENT

TOURISM
RECOVERY

Distinctly separate from RACSTL’s annual grantmaking cycles that utilize hotel/motel tax revenue, ARPA for the Arts represents a one-time-only funding opportunity for the City of St. Louis.

More than 100 arts organizations and countless artists and residents united to urge local elected officials to allocate ARPA funds to support the sector’s pandemic recovery. The investment in the arts received unanimous support from the city’s Board of Aldermen and was supported by Mayor Tishaura Jones and Comptroller Darlene Green.

A point of pride, the RACSTL team worked diligently to get all available funds into the hands of individual artists and arts organizations. From the time RACSTL received ARPA funding to the final distribution of tourism impact grants, all ARPA for the Arts grants were completed in just 15 months. The remaining 10% of ARPA funding was allocated to staffing and administrative costs, which allowed for the fast and focused distribution of such a significant amount of federal dollars.

REVENUE & INCOME REPLACEMENT

REVENUE & INCOME
REPLACEMENT
DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED

CRITICAL RELIEF FOR ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The arts and culture sector was hit hard during the pandemic, and creatives continued to feel the effects of widespread revenue loss long after spaces reopened to the public. ARPA for the Arts funding provided a unique opportunity to enhance financial stability while economic conditions continue to normalize.

The Revenue and Income Replacement Grants, which were managed and distributed in accordance with requirements set by the United States Treasury Department, were one-time grants to working artists and arts organizations in the City of St. Louis. Recipients were required to verify financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

GRANTEE TESTIMONIALS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE GRANTEE TESTIMONIALS

“Before COVID, 90% of my income came from live performances. Suddenly, I found myself out of a job and struggling to stay on top of bills – struggling to keep writing and recording new music. The ARPA for the Arts grant enabled me to make my songwriting and performing a priority again. As an artist, I feel like I’m finally on a stable, positive post-COVID path thanks to ARPA Funding.”

Beth Bombara
Musician

TOURISM RECOVERY

TOURISM RECOVERY
DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED

AMPLIFYING & FORTIFYING OUR CREATIVE SECTOR

The Tourism Recovery Grants were a one-time grant to nonprofit arts & culture organizations to aid in tourism and generate opportunities for increased engagement in local, regional, national, and international travel and hospitality by individuals and groups to the City of St. Louis.

Organizations that received a grant are required to use funds in three areas: audience development & engagement, emergency preparedness & recovery, and/or cultural tourism marketing & brand reach.

TOURISM RECOVERY GRANT ORGANIZATIONS

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

“The City of St. Louis and the Regional Arts Commission have been leading the way in their continual commitment to art-inspired regeneration of the region through one of the most impactful ARPA investments in the arts in the nation. Counterpublic is grateful to be a recipient of these funds as we work with RAC to help make St. Louis an epicenter of art and culture tourism through our next edition, anticipated to be one of the largest public art initiatives in North America set to draw over 200,000 visitors in 2026.”

James McAnally
Executive + Artistic Director, Counterpublic

14 WARDS. 28 MURALS. ALL CREATED BY STL ARTISTS.

Creativity and community pride are part of the foundation of St. Louis. It’s who we are – as if it’s baked into the brick found throughout this historic city. That passion for place, people and artistic expression came together with the St. Louis Mural Project, a distinct grant opportunity within the area of Tourism Recovery .

The St. Louis Mural Project transformed St. Louis by placing 28 murals across the city – 2 in each of the 14 wards. This visionary initiative and historic investment in public art embraces collaboration, beautification, and support for local artists.

Funded through ARPA for the Arts and managed by RACSTL, the St. Louis Mural Project exemplifies the city’s love of public art and the creatives who bring it to life.

MURAL LOCATIONS

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MURALS & MEET THE ARTISTS