The Arts and Education Council of St. Louis recently announced a collaboration with PNC Bank to pilot the stARTup Competition, designed to foster breakthrough, entrepreneurial ideas that have the potential to enhance the fabric of St. Louis’s cultural life. A response to start-up culture around the country and in St. Louis, the competition is open to individuals in the 16-county bi-state region with an idea on how to use the arts to address a community need or challenge.

“We are very fortunate that Greater St. Louis has some really creative organizations that are willing to invest in our entrepreneurs,” said Michael Scully, PNC regional president for St. Louis. “Entrepreneurs serve a critical role in a community’s economic development. By creating new products or services, providing future jobs and wages to residents and contributing to our taxes, these entrepreneurs will become a catalyst for future economic growth.”

A group of panelists will judge final presentations May 4 and announce winners by June 1, and the competition will provide winning entries with the opportunities and resources needed to accelerate their ideas. This will include mentorship from entrepreneurial and arts management experts, professional development, networking opportunities, and seed funding.

“For nearly six decades, the Arts and Education Council has been a leading funder of new arts and culture ventures,” says A&E President and CEO, Cynthia A. Prost. “Most of our esteemed arts institutions didn’t launch as world-class institutions. They each began with an idea that made the community better and A&E is proud to have been there from the start. This arts stARTup Competition reinforces what A&E has been doing for years, providing funding and resources to help arts organizations thrive and grow, improving the quality of life in our community. ”

The Arts and Education Council is the St. Louis region's united arts fund providing financial, technical, and educational support for arts organizations. Its mission is to build appreciation, participation, and support for arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community.