Regional Cultural and Performing Arts
The Regional Cultural and Performing Arts Development Commission, also known as the Regional Arts Commission (RAC), is a public charity and arts council/agency based in St. Louis, Missouri. Established in 1985, it operates as a public corporation acting in a governmental capacity. The organization serves as the leading public catalyst for arts and culture in the St. Louis region, promoting, encouraging, and fostering arts and cultural institutions and activities within St. Louis City and County.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
Annual Giving
$8.2M
Grant Count
166
Avg Grant Size
$50K
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: As the leading public catalyst for arts and culture in St. Louis, the Regional Arts Commission leverages the power of creativity to strengthen and enrich our community. The organization invests in the region's arts and culture through grants, programs, and special initiatives.
Core Values: The organization emphasizes diversity, racial equity, accessibility, and inclusion. It builds partnerships that strengthen the community, serves as a passionate champion supporting and recognizing artists, and believes that every child deserves a well-rounded education that includes the arts.
Funding Criteria: The Commission makes grants based on completed applications evaluated across five key areas:
- Artistic merit
- Community/national impact
- Effective/accountable management
- Audience development
- Cultural tourism
Grantmaking
The Commission distributes revenue derived from St. Louis City and County hotel/motel sales tax (receiving 4/15 of total revenue) by funding and making grants to not-for-profit organizations and individual artists for activities in St. Louis City and County.
Grant Types
How to Apply
** Applicants must submit completed applications for consideration by the Commission. Grantees are required to make presentations to the Commission and promote their activities.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Commission's funding focus is primarily St. Louis City and County, Missouri. Historical giving data indicates some activity in the District of Columbia and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $9,242,757
- Total Revenue: $15,000,891
- Total Expenses: $13,483,285
- Total Giving: $10,247,052
Staff: 16 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,242,757 | $7,736,397 | $5,092,606 |
| Revenue | $15,000,891 | $7,200,123 | $4,539,915 |
| Expenses | $13,483,285 | $3,630,236 | $3,142,620 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,049,636 | $937 | $33 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Regional Cultural and Performing Arts
Artist Fellowships
REGIONAL CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Amount
$20,000 per artist
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Artist Relief Fund (COVID-19 Emergency)
REGIONAL CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Amount
$500 - $1,000 per artist
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Artist Support Grants
REGIONAL CULTURAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Amount
Up to $3,000 per artist
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President and CEO: Vanessa Cooksey
Board Structure: The Commission comprises 15 members—seven appointed by the chief executive of St. Louis City and eight appointed by the chief executive of St. Louis County. The chief executive officers of the city and county designate in alternate years one of the appointed members to serve as chairman. All board members must reside within the district throughout their service and serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROSALIND JOHNSON | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JERRY GENNARIA | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JOHN H RUSSELL | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CONSTANTINO OCHOA | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ROBERT ARBUTHNOT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RHONDA CARTER ADAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| HEATHER CORCORAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SAM FIORELLO | MEMBER-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| BEVERLY ISOM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MONT LEVY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RUDOLPH NICKENS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDREA PURNELL | MEMBER-AT-LARGE | 1 | — |
| CHERYL DS WALKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANGELA WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID CARL WILSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VANESSA COOKSEY | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $196,253 |
| ANTHONY CHANCE THRU 0424 | VP OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS | 40 | $67,947 |
| ANGELA PETERS | VP OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $153,962 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, the Regional Arts Commission announced the distribution of more than $3.7 million in grants to local arts organizations and programs, demonstrating continued robust support for the regional arts community.
Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis Gives More Than $3.7 Million in GrantsThe organization operates the St. Louis Teaching Artist Institute (TAI), a project made possible by a major grant from Wells Fargo Advisors, with curriculum development overseen by Springboard to Learning and NCCJ St. Louis.
Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis Gives More Than $3.7 Million in GrantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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