Arts commission asks Webster Groves business leaders where they want public art; urges outreach to Opera Theatre

Marv Bouchard Troost, a member of the Webster Groves Arts Commission and senior project manager at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, told the Business Development Commission that the arts commission is launching roundtable conversations with each business district to coordinate public-art efforts.

“We're reaching out to several of the business commissions…we have a new group of leaders and commissioners and wanted to facilitate new networks and connections around how the arts and business development in Webster Groves can connect,” Bouchard Troost said. He described the commission’s mission, noting it was established in 2006, and explained the difference between the city’s arts commission and the nonprofit Webster Arts, which runs the annual Webster Arts Fair.

The arts commission is accepting nominations for an annual “achievement in the arts” award and is soliciting public input on where to place public art. “Just wanted to get a sense from you on where you would like to see public art. What does public art mean? How could it support business and culture in Webster Groves?” Bouchard Troost asked the BDC.

He said the arts commission recently drafted a letter and “provided a letter, requesting a conversation with Opera Theatre to ask how we could support them to reconsider staying in Webster Groves.” Bouchard Troost said he did not have details about Opera Theatre’s timetable but that the organization holds a right of first refusal on a site in Clayton and that fundraising and facility limitations were among reasons Opera Theatre has considered other locations.

City staff in the meeting confirmed the city is in conversations with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and said the arts commission’s letter was included in those city-level discussions. The staff member encouraged commission chairs to consider writing letters of support if they wish to advocate for the theater to remain in Webster Groves.

Commissioners asked how their business-district subcommittees might participate in the arts roundtables; Bouchard Troost suggested breakfast meetings within each district and said the arts commission could also attend subcommittee meetings to coordinate projects and fundraising. He described one near-term public-art project: renaming a sculpture garden in honor of former mayor Welch and installing a sign there later this summer.

The meeting closed the discussion with staff offering to circulate the nomination form and to include the arts commission in planning for district-level roundtables.