Nominations Open for 2019 St. Louis Arts Awards

The Arts and Education Council (A&E) has opened nominations for the 28th annual St. Louis Arts Awards, the region's preeminent award ceremony honoring individuals, organizations and businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the area's vibrant arts community. The public is invited to submit nominations online through May 18, 2018. A community panel will review nominations and honorees for the 2019 St. Louis Arts Awards will be announced in June 2018.

"St. Louis is home to an exceptionally vibrant arts community and A&E is proud to honor the individuals, organizations and businesses whose passion, talent and commitment have helped shape it," said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E president and CEO. "Every year, we are amazed by the outstanding array of deserving artists, educators, philanthropists, organizations, corporate citizens and community members nominated by the public."

Since 1992, A&E has recognized more than 165 honorees at the St. Louis Arts Awards. 2018 honorees were: Johnetta Haley, music educator, Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; Dennis M. Reagan, The Muny, Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; Gene Dobbs Bradford, Jazz St. Louis, Excellence in the Arts; Keith Tyrone Williams, Art Educator of the Year; Art on the Square, Arts Collaboration; Saint Louis Fashion Fund, Arts Startup of the Year; and World Wide Technology, Corporate Support of the Arts.

The 2019 St. Louis Arts Awards will be held Monday, January 21 at the Chase Park Plaza. Proceeds from the event benefit the Arts and Education Council's annual campaign, which supports nearly 100 arts organizations across the 16-county, bi-state region. For more information and to make a nomination, visit KeepArtHappening.org/nominate.

About the Arts and Education Council: The Ripple Effect of the Arts. - The Arts and Education Council (A&E) builds appreciation, participation and support for the arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community, shaping a more vibrant arts community for all. A&E spreads the ripple effect of the arts across the 16-county, bi-state region by supporting nearly 100 arts organizations through multi-faceted programs, including: Operating and Project Grants; Arts Education Grants for Teachers; Arts Incubation at the Centene Center for the Arts; a Catalyst Innovation Lab; the Katherine Dunham Fellowship; a stARTup Competition for Arts Entrepreneurs; stARTup-StL Crowdfunding Platform; Arts Leadership Management Academy (ALMA); Executive Directors Roundtable; Arts Marketers Professional Development; the Annual St. Louis Arts Awards; and Young Friends of the Arts.

Since its inception in 1963 as the region's only privately-supported united arts fund, the Arts and Education Council has raised and distributed more than $100 million in private funding for the arts - a significant contribution that directly impacts the quality of life in our region. A&E meets all 20 Better Business Bureau Charity Standards and has earned the Wise Giving Seal of Approval, a three-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant rating.

Photo caption: Jazz St. Louis President and CEO Gene Dobbs Bradford (center) accepts the Excellence in the Arts Award at the 2018 St. Louis Arts Awards. Photo by Suzy Gorman.