Arts

The arts generate nearly $900 million in spending in the St. Louis region every year, but individual artists still struggle to get by. Two new reports shine a light on the St. Louis arts economy.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is facing a $2.5 million budget shortfall due to declining ticket sales and donations and the end of federal coronavirus pandemic relief funding. If it doesn’t raise the money, the season may be cut short .

A four-alarm fire destroyed much of the building that housed Sk8 Liborius, a skate park and gathering place for young people in north St. Louis. The organization’s leaders are just beginning to sort out plans for the future.

Counterpublic 2023 features public art by more than 30 artists. They explore social issues facing the neighborhoods where their art is placed. The citywide exhibition runs through July 16.

St. Louis singer Neil Salsich gained national attention this year performing on “The Voice,” the NBC show that pits singers against each other for a record deal. St. Louis Public Radio’s Chad Davis spoke with Salsich about his time on the show, his musical roots and his band the Mighty Pines.

The professional theater group will use the tourism development award to make space for art forms outside of plays and musicals, including visual arts, storytelling and even cooking.

East St. Louis musician David Dee, a longtime fixture on the Midwest blues scene, has died. His musical resume was long. He performed with his vocal group David and the Temptations in the 1960s and later played with Howlin’ Wolf and Albert King.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis will present three short operas, all by artists of color who’ve worked largely outside the opera world. The works address the roots of Black, queer ballroom culture; three important inventors who were Black women, and the Supreme Court battle over a rock band’s attempt to reappropriate a racial slur.

The "Counterpublic" exhibition will include 30 sculptures, films and other artwork reflecting on the injustices faced by people living in the neighborhoods where the work is placed.

Claire Maue, 20, will lead her quartet at Jazz St. Louis for the first time Wednesday. She dedicated her debut album to her twin sister, Hana, who died last year in a car crash.