“Arts United STL” to benefit Regional Arts Commission’s Artist Relief Fund

Together with 14 other arts organizations, the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) recently announced “Arts United STL,” a free virtual benefit in support of RAC’s Artist Relief Fund, a component fund of the St. Louis Community Foundation, which provides critical aid to St. Louis working artists whose livelihoods have been critically interrupted by the pandemic.

Produced by OTSL in partnership with the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, this benefit will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 and feature performances from local arts organizations, including but not limited to:

  • The Big Muddy Dance Company
  • The Black Rep
  • Circus Flora
  • COCA
  • Jazz St. Louis
  • The Muny
  • Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
  • Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
  • Louis Ballet, St. Louis Children’s Choirs
  • Louis Shakespeare Festival
  • Louis Symphony Orchestra
  • The Sheldon, STAGES St. Louis
  • Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis.

A group of 15 organizations were invited across an array of arts mediums. In the coming days, RAC will also encourage open submissions from independent artists and other arts organizations to further highlight the artistic diversity of the city.

More information about Arts United STL can be found on Opera Theatre’s website, which will also host the live video stream on Sunday, May 31. In addition, viewers may watch the livestream via YouTube on Opera Theatre’s channel. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the RAC Artist Relief Fund during the concert. To date, the Artist Relief Fund has distributed $136,500 in direct support to individual artists. The goal of Arts United STL is to raise an additional $250,000 through 1,000 individual donations and sponsorships. Supporters may donate to the Artist Relief Fund here at any time before, during, or after the live event.