Vanessa Cooksey, president and CEO of the Regional Arts Commission of ӣƵ
Since its inception in 1985, the Regional Arts Commission of ӣƵ, also known as RAC, has embodied a mission of promoting and fostering the arts to make lasting impacts across the city’s cultural and economic landscapes.
“The people of ӣƵ have always loved the arts and view them as a necessity, not a luxury,” said Vanessa Cooksey, RAC president and CEO. “We were founded to help provide a consistent revenue source that supports the artists and arts organizations that make ӣƵ a great place to live, work and visit.”
Throughout its four decades, the Regional Arts Commission has distributed more than $115 million through more than 7,300 grants, making it the largest public funder of the arts in ӣƵ. Hundreds of beneficiaries range from institutions like the ӣƵ Symphony Orchestra, the National Blues Museum and The Muny to smaller organizations like Artists First, ӣƵ Artworks and Central Print.
RAC receives nearly all its funding from the hotel/motel occupancy tax in the city of ӣƵ and ӣƵ County, though the organization is working to diversify its revenue through individual and corporate donors.
In 2022, RAC received an unprecedented $10.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding from the city of ӣƵ. The one-time federal funding came at a critical time following a dramatic downturn for the arts and culture sector brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metro Theater Company
Cooksey believes a strong arts presence benefits ӣƵ in three major ways: increasing civic pride, attracting tourists and growing the local economy. “The arts have been and will continue to be one of the few sectors that brings people together to have a meaningful shared experience,” she explained.
A thriving arts scene strengthens the local economy by supporting ӣƵ’ travel and tourism industry, Cooksey added, bringing in visitors who spend money at local restaurants, parking facilities, shops and hotels. By investing $115 million into arts organizations, RAC has played a significant role in helping generate more than $1 billion in economic activity for ӣƵ and ӣƵ county. Not a bad return on investment.
“Our grants also support entrepreneurship and jobs,” Cooksey said. “Creating art doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It requires artists to hire other artists, purchase materials and supplies, rent space and more. It’s a team effort that creates employment opportunities and supports economic growth for individuals, organizations and the community as a whole.”
Noah Jodice painting at Kiener Plaza downtown as part of the ӣƵ Mural Project
Another plus: The operating support that RAC provides helps keep admission and ticket prices affordable, improving access to the arts for ӣƵ residents and visitors who might not otherwise be able to enjoy them.
“In some cities, a family of four can’t experience a museum for less than $20 or $30 per person,” Cooksey said. “Here, our major art museums, community theaters and other cultural institutions are free to visit.”
EcoTones Concert at Tower Grove Park
The organization’s work is far from over. Looking to the future, Cooksey said RAC plans to keep building ӣƵ’ cultural legacy by continuing to invest in artists and arts organizations, exploring connections and partnerships between the arts and other economic sectors like healthcare and sports, and convening people who create and love the arts, to advance innovation in cultural tourism.
“So many ӣƵ residents and visitors have benefited from our work without ever even knowing it,” she said. “We are excited to tell the stories of RAC's accomplishments over the last 40 years, and we want people to know there is so much more to come! It’s an honor to contribute to the well-being of the region and to have the trust of the community as a good steward of public money.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary this summer, RAC plans to host a birthday bash at Union Station on the evening of Aug. 28. The whole community is invited and details, as well as tickets, can be found at . For more information, visit .
