Since 1997, the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute is an innovative program centered on the belief that art has the power to be an agent for positive social change. The CAT Institute is a five-month curriculum fostering successful partnerships among artists, social workers, educators and community activists with the goal of creating significant arts programs in community settings such as neighborhood organizations, social service agencies and after-school programs.

About 220 Community Arts Training Institute graduates are currently working in areas such as neighborhood organizations, at-risk schools, prisons, homeless shelters, hospices, labor unions, community centers, jobs programs, and daycare facilities. With dedication, creativity and resolute spirit, these artists, community activists, social service workers, educators, policy makers and administrators are a force in the St. Louis area equipped with powerful tools to foster transformation in individuals and in our community.

In March 2010, the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute at the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission (RAC) presented a conference that cultivated innovative strategies in community cultural development.

This conference brought together a cross-section of artists, community partners and leaders in a platform for critical dialogue about arts and community development.

Consisting of presentations of new scholarship, workshops, and discussions, At the Crossroads: A Community Arts and Development Convening connected and engaged people working in diverse practices, inspiring new ideas and creative collaborations in communities. http://crossroadsconvening.com/

At the Crossroads: A Community Arts and Development Convening was facilitated by the Community Arts Training (CAT) Institute at the Regional Arts Commission in St. Louis, Missouri and was generously sponsored by the Nathan Cummings Foundation. Special support provided by the Whitaker Foundation and National City-Now Part of PNC.

In April 2012, RAC and the CAT Institute along with Cleveland's Community Partnership for Arts & Culture (CPAC) organized RUSTBELT TO ARTIST BELT : AT THE CROSSROADS, St. Louis - Arts-Based Community Development Convening - www.rustbelttoartistbelt.com

This conference united a cross-section of artists, community leaders, educators, academics, policy-makers, and creatives in a platform for critical dialogue about arts and community development. This convening placed a special emphasis on the role of artists and their community partners in creating positive, social change. Presentations of new scholarship, workshops, and discussions allowed people in diverse social practices to connect and engage in a forum that inspires new ideas and community collaboration.

Rustbelt to Artist Belt: At the Crossroads was sponsored by RAC and CPAC with support by the Ford Foundation and Leveraging Investments in Creativity and is funded, in part, by the Kresge Foundation and the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. Special thanks to the Detroit Creative Corridor Center.

For more information, contact Roseann Weiss at roseann@stlrac.org or 314/863-5811.

Program Spotlight

Fringe St. Louis

Fringe St. Louis was created as a non-profit organization with the mission to produce the Saint Louis Fringe Festival. The oranization successfully produced 5 festivals and is currently on hiatus until 2009. The organization under the management of Ed Reggi provides several FREE services to local and regional performing artists, technicians and theatre students. www.stlouisimprov.com - is a complete online resource of local St. Louis improvisational ensembles, venues, classes, workshops and actors. www.stlauditions.com - is a FREE clearinghouse of all casting and audition information for ...More Info