OUR MISSION


"Building a harmonious St. Louis with 

Music, Visual Arts, and the Spoken Word" 


Arts & Faith St. Louis Statement on Racial Equity


Arts & Faith St. Louis is outraged and saddened by the murder of George Floyd and the many other instances of racism and violence inflicted on Black Americans in our country over many years.  


We deplore systemic racism and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Black community in calling for racial justice and transformation that leads to greater equity in our society.  


There is no room for any form of hatred in our hearts and acts of violence in our communities. We’ve made mistakes in the past and we acknowledge that we have not done enough. 


We pledge to continue working to ensure that our leadership and programming are racially diverse and to work for a more harmonious St. Louis, both as an organization and as individuals, so as to dismantle systemic racism and create a society that uplifts the dignity of all human beings.

Coming Fall 2020 ...

Tenth Annual Arts & Faith St. Louis 

Interfaith Concert

"Songs of Compassion"

Live-Streamed  October 25, 2020 4 PM 

Arts & Faith St. Louis is working to promote compassion with our faith communities to produce important online events featuring inspiring music, photography and storytelling, all on the theme of compassion.


Our tenth annual Arts & Faith St. Louis event, “Songs of Compassion” on October 25th at 4 pm, will be live-streamed on HEC-TV from The Sheldon, rather than being a traditional concert in The Sheldon. The continuing effects of the pandemic on public gatherings make this decision necessary in order to ensure the safety of our artists and you, our audience. 


The concert will feature beautiful music sung by soloists from diverse faith communities and internationally renowned soprano Christine Brewer. As a special feature, we will pay tribute to the many dedicated doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who are doing their works of compassion during the pandemic, through a new song entitled “Thank You” sung by Christine Brewer. During the song we will show moving photographs taken by healthcare workers themselves. We are working with the St. Louis Camera Club on a “Pictures of Compassion” project that will generate additional moving photographs on the theme of compassion.

Elisabeth Brewer - RN Barnes-Jewish Hospital 



Here are a few of the artists who will perform. This is "Mi Chamocha (Marching to the Promised Land)" by Rob Aronson. 

2020 Storytelling Events ...


“STORIES OF COMPASSION”  --  IN JULY, ARTS & FAITH ST. LOUIS AND THE ST. LOUIS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL PRESENTED TWO VIRTUAL EVENTS ON FACEBOOK AND ZOOM


On July 19, 2020 four amazing storytellers from different faith communities in the St. Louis region presented their "Stories of Compassion" for adults:  


Rev. Sheila Bouie-Sledge – North Park United Methodist Church 

Rabbi Susan Talve – Central Reform Congregation 

Sabira Jamal – Muslim storyteller from a Pakistani family and a former teacher

Fr. Mark Wedig – Dominican friar, Aquinas Institute of Theology at St. Louis University



On July 22, 2020 a virtual free children's storytelling event included these four special storytellers with their "Stories of Compassion" for children:   


Patty Carleton – Baha’i storyteller, former children’s librarian at St. Louis Public Library

Barbara Raznick – Jewish storyteller, former head of Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library

Janet Brown – Episcopal, arts educator and theater teacher

Dr. Sumbul Meraj, M.D. – Muslim storyteller, Infectious Disease Specialist at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Memorial Hospital

On April 26, 2020 Arts & Faith St. Louis co-hosted with the St. Louis Storytelling Festival our first virtual storytelling event "STORIES OF COMPASSION"


Four storytellers from Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish faith communities in the St. Louis region presented their “Stories of Compassion”:


David Greenhaw of Eden Seminary - "On Epidemics and Orphans"

Bala Anantharama of the Hindu Faith - “Global Well-Being”

Mufti Asif Omar of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis - "Story of a Rider and An Old Man"

Rabbi James Stone Goodman of Central Reform Congregation - “Marabout"


Below is the full video of the virtual storytelling event. Click the arrow in the bottom left corner to play. 

Update on Interfaith Tours at SLAM...

Early 2020 the Arts & Faith St. Louis Interfaith Tours at the Saint Louis Art Museum were canceled due to Covid-19 restrictions.  We hope to resume Interfaith Tours in the not too distant future. 

Our 2019 concert...


Ninth Annual Arts & Faith St. Louis Interfaith Concert 

"Songs of Hope"

September 15, 2019   The Sheldon Concert Hall

The Concert: Adult and Young performers, Musicians, Christine Brewer, Stephanie Berg, Maria Ellis

Last year’s concert, “Songs of Hope,” featured both adult and young singers and musicians from six faith communities – including Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist vocal ensembles from across the metropolitan area who shared their songs and music of hope. Also featured was celebrated soprano Christine Brewer, who performed new music by composer and clarinetist Stephanie Berg that premiered at Powell Symphony Hall, and a specially-assembled Interfaith Youth Chorus led by Maria Ellis. 


Storytelling

A storyteller, Nartana Premachandra, was chosen to share "words of hope" in collaboration with the MU Extension Division Storytelling Festival.


Post-Event Outside:  #HopeMural

After the concert the audience mingled outside on Washington Boulevard with the artists and faith ensembles and participated in creating “#HopeMural” developed by an interfaith group of teens through Interfaith Quest led by Beth Damsgaard-Rodriguez.  

Overview Video: http://bit.ly/2kXRbLM

Full Concert Video: http://bit.ly/2kTvyMt

 2018 Arts & Faith St. Louis Eighth Annual Interfaith Concert 
"Great Music of Many Faiths"

September 16, 2018  The Sheldon Concert Hall

The Concert: Adult and Young performers, Musicians, Christine Brewer, the 442s

The 2018 concert featured both adult and young singers and musicians from faith communities across the metropolitan area who shared their treasured music with us.  Also performing was celebrated soprano Christine Brewer and the 442s, an ensemble including members of our own St. Louis Symphony.

Video Interludes

The audience experienced short video interludes that set the context for the musical performances all tuned to build bridges of understanding.    

Post-Event Outside 

Immediately following the concert, performers and audience members mingled and continued their interfaith journeys out in front of The Sheldon where displays of interactive activities will be available.   

Pre-Event Radio Interview

An interview on RAF-STL radio was conducted by Kathy Lawton Brown on September 11, 2018 with performers at this year's concert, Christine Brewer and Adam Manass, as well as Mont Levy of Arts & Faith St. Louis. Run time: 39 minutes.
Click on link:  Arts-FaithSTL2018.mp3

Go to "2018 Concert" Tab for the Program, Photos, and Full Video of the Event

2017 Arts & Faith St. Louis Interfaith Concert
"Building Bridges"

Youth groups perform "Love is Love", a new composition by Adam Maness, with Julia Bullock, St. Louis native and fast-rising soprano  


Arts & Faith St. Louis: "Building Bridges"
 "Interfaith Journeys for Teens"   --  A Video Project 

Click here or go to the "Teen Video Project" tab to see more!

Images from Previous Arts & Faith St. Louis Interfaith Concerts

  • 2013 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Internationally renowned soprano Christine Brewer leads audience and participants in "God Bless America."
    2013 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Internationally renowned soprano Christine Brewer leads audience and participants in "God Bless America."
  • "Forgiveness in Shakespeare": Rabbi Jim Goodman, Shakespeare Festival Playwright-in-Residence Nancy Bell, and Shakespeare Festival's director of Shakespeare In the Streets Alec Wild
    "Forgiveness in Shakespeare": Rabbi Jim Goodman, Shakespeare Festival Playwright-in-Residence Nancy Bell, and Shakespeare Festival's director of Shakespeare In the Streets Alec Wild
  • 2012 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Ensemble from Hindu Temple of St. Louis
    2012 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Ensemble from Hindu Temple of St. Louis
  • "New Kid": Metro Theater actors discuss the play with audience.
    "New Kid": Metro Theater actors discuss the play with audience.
  • 2012 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Audience members attach peace messages on ribbons to a "Unity Web" designed by local artist Lindsey Scott.
    2012 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Audience members attach peace messages on ribbons to a "Unity Web" designed by local artist Lindsey Scott.
  • Leaders from arts organizations and faith communities gather to discuss collaboration and communication.
    Leaders from arts organizations and faith communities gather to discuss collaboration and communication.
  • "Following in the Footsteps of Women of Faith": Opera Theatre of Saint Louis interviews Sister Mary Antona Ebo about her role in the civil rights movement.
    "Following in the Footsteps of Women of Faith": Opera Theatre of Saint Louis interviews Sister Mary Antona Ebo about her role in the civil rights movement.
  • 2013 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: St. Louis County Police Pipes and Drum
    2013 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: St. Louis County Police Pipes and Drum
2013 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Internationally renowned soprano Christine Brewer leads audience and participants in "God Bless America."
2013 Interfaith Commemoration in Music: Internationally renowned soprano Christine Brewer leads audience and participants in "God Bless America."