Two Webster Art Programs Receive Regional Arts Commission Grants

The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis (RAC) granted Webster University $18,000 for the Webster film Series and the Department of Art, Design and Art History’s Friday Lecture Series. Both programs are just among the numerous programs at Webster University that make art accessible to the St. Louis region.

“Webster University is a major hub for the arts in the St. Louis region. Each year we present approximately 150 events on campus, are the home to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and The Opera Theatre of St. Louis, present music, opera, dance, host two art galleries, have additional stages for plays and musical performances, display sculptures and other artworks across our campus, and much more,” said Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts Dean Paul Steger. “Our gratitude and sincere thanks to the Regional Arts Commission for recognizing Webster’s significant contributions to the arts, and congratulations to the faculty and staff whose vision, hard work, and dedication keep the arts alive and thriving in our community.”

For the second consecutive year, the Friday Lecture Series received $10,000 from the RAC. The program has this academic year hosted lectures by visiting artists Natalie Baldeón, Alex Schubert and Igor Karash. Upcoming lectures include:

• Oct. 31: Pattie Chalmers, Head of Graduate Studies and Ceramics Professor, SIU Carbondale
• Nov. 7: Hannah Segrave, Associate Curator of European Art to 1800, St. Louis Art Museum
• Nov. 13: Brian DePauli, Painter 
• Nov. 20: Vaughn Davis, Jr. and Lauren dela Roche, Contemporary Art Museum Great Rivers Biennial Exhibiting Artists
•  Jan 30: TBA – an artist in Great Rivers Biennial, in collaboration with Contemporary Art Museum
• Feb. 6: Basil Kinkaid, Hunt Gallery exhibiting artist
• Feb. 20: Juan Chavez, Interdisciplinary artist (awaiting confirmation)
• April 10: Heather Alexis Smith, Pulitzer Arts Foundation

This also is the third consecutive year that the RAC has approved a grant for the Film Series, which has been showing classic and independent films for nearly 50 years. This year, the series has announced the following films:

• October 10, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. – “The Reagans Speak Out on Drugs” and Birth of a Nation
• October 11–15, 2026 – 7 p.m. – My Brother’s Wedding
• October 13, 2026 – 6:30 p.m. – Network
• October 16–18, 2026 – 6:30 p.m. – My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile, Chapters 1–3
• October 17–25, 2026 – NAZA – 2 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 24, and 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 21
• October 17–18, 2026 – 7 p.m. – My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile, Chapters 4–5
• October 20, 2026 – 7 p.m. – All the President’s Men
• October 22–31, 2026 – 7 p.m. – EO
• October 23, 2026 – 7 p.m. – Gunda
• October 24, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. – Au hasard Balthazar
• October 25, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. – White God
• November 1, 2026 – 7 p.m. – Andrea Callard: Selected Short Films 1974–2026 – Free admission. 

A full schedule for the film series can be found online.

The RAC is the biggest public funder of the arts in St. Louis. Their mission is to act as a leading public catalyst for arts and culture in St. Louis, and to leverage the power of creativity to strengthen and enrich the ST. Louis Community. Since 1985, they have provided more than 7,300 grants worth over $115 million.