Artists First

Together we can create a thriving community for all.
When you donate to Artists First, you can be confident that we are a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization in Good Standing with the State of Missouri and that our organization has earned the highest rating - Seal of Transparency, via GuideStar, the industry authority on nonprofit excellence. Artists First was recognized as the 2023 Missouri Arts Award Arts Organization honoree by the Lieutenant Governor's Office Missouri Arts Council, making it the first art studio of its kind to receive this award since the award was established in 1983.

Who Does Artists First Serve?
Artists First uses the visual arts as a way to meet inequities specifically with disenfranchised populations. Artists First is open to all however our focus is on under served populations. We pride ourselves on being specifically designed on adapting our services to disenfranchised individuals including those with disabilities (physical, cognitive and mental health), veterans and specifically veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and or substance abuse, elders with memory loss and their caregivers, disconnected youth, and those experiencing toxic stress.

Artists First accepts all participants regardless of age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity or military status. Artists First maintains an inclusive and accepting environment. Artists First's mission and existence is based on the unflinching belief in the imperativeness of diversity in all forms; equity and inclusion for all. For Artists First our commitment to diversity and inclusion is more than words, it is action, it is at the heart of what we do creatively.

What Does Artists First Do?
Artists First fosters meaningful personal growth in individuals through creative self-expression, and enriches the community through initiatives that promote art, acceptance, and empowerment. In addition to active participation annually in over 45 community events, Artists First lives out its mission through the Open Studio Program. The Open Studio Program at Artists First is divided into five distinct components: The Adult Open Studio connects adults with disabilities to professional supplies and technical facilitation by specialized staff. Lifeworks is a comprehensive, progressive, strengths based program that utilizes a less restrictive approach to increasing chances for success and independence for participants. Through the art based program, artists with developmental disabilities obtain their greatest potential and growth in employment, social, emotional and physical domains through the arts. Artists First for Veterans addresses the reality that many veterans return to civilian life with challenges and needs. The program specifically supports recovery and rehabilitation of veterans in transitional housing. Supplying current and former Armed Service members with creative and social resources needed to generate positive self-identity, reflection and community reintegration. In the Youth Open Studio, children and teens are provided a confidence-building, safe, social setting to learn about other cultures, ideologies and abilities, to work on conflict resolution skills, and to grow independently, socially and emotionally through the arts. The Youth Studio provides a respite from the toxic stress that affects area youth. Opening Minds Through Art is an evidence-based art initiative developed by the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University serving elders experiencing memory loss due to dementia. OMA enables elders to assume new roles as artists and teachers while connecting with peer volunteers. Healing Trauma of Isms; a trauma and culturally informed, self-expression curriculum to aid individuals in healing from the negative effects of experiencing racism and other forms of oppression. The program is specifically designed to address the trauma and grief endured by those who have been discriminated against and who have been exposed to intersectional oppression.

The In View Mural Project is an extension of Artists First's current work of making art more accessible to all individuals. An innovative approach to audience development, the project highlights the importance of equal and equitable access in the arts and will involve Artists First studio artists (youth, individuals with disabilities and veterans), community members, and artists from the St. Louis region working together to create high quality, hand painted murals.