Historical Fall 2010 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On a lovely May evening, numerous art lovers and friends gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) at its offices on 61xx Delmar.
The crowd included past and present board members and elected officials. Among those present was former mayor, Vince Schoemehl, who, along with former county executive Gene McNary, created RAC in 1985. Funded by a dedicated tax on hotels and restaurants in the city and in the county, RAC provides funds to prominent arts organizations such as the Saint Louis Symphony and Opera Theatre of St. Louis as well as neighorhood arts groups (e.g., West End Arts Council) and medium-sized troupes. RAC and its director, Jill McGuire, were delighted to have Rocco Landesman, the director of the National Endowment of the Arts, as special guest at the festivities.
A native of the area, Landesman spoke at length of the importance of the region’s cultural institutions and the vital role that RAC plays in making the arts availble to the St. Louis area.
He noted the cultural value of the arts at every level and especially what some may forget: The arts are a significant economic development tool.
They are an important provider of jobs.
The beautiful RAC facility on the edge of our neighborhood has rotating art exhibits open to the public and is home to meetings and some live performances.
Original photograph caption
Vince Schoemehl, Carolyn Losos, Rocco Landesman, and Jill Mc Guire. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, Fall 2010.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2010_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
