Coffee Talk at 21: Art + Community Development

Coffee Talks at 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis is a monthly gathering that brings together changemakers, creatives, and community members for honest conversations about equity, impact, and innovation in St. Louis. On July 23, we are proud to welcome St. Louis Art Place Initiative (API) as our featured nonprofit partner to host Art + Community Development, a dialogue on how art can be a powerful driver for neighborhood revitalization, social connection, and community-led progress.

Guests will hear from local leaders and artists involved in API’s work to create pathways to homeownership for artists in St. Louis. Together, we’ll explore what arts-based community development is, how it differs from traditional development models, and why it matters for creating equitable, vibrant, and sustainable neighborhoods.

Key Discussion Points:

• What is arts-based community development?

• How artists contribute to vibrant, resilient neighborhoods

• API’s model: homeownership, equity, and art-led revitalization

• Avoiding displacement while fostering growth

• The role of cross-sector partnerships in neighborhood transformation

This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of creativity, housing, and community power in the city of St. Louis.

Also check out other Arts events in St. Louis.