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 Candid, 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?
We harness the transformative power of art to foster overall well-being, especially for those who have experienced trauma. Through visual arts programs tailored to individual and community needs, Artists First engages over 400 individuals annually, people with disabilities (physical, mental, and cognitive), veterans (including those with PTSD or substance use challenges), elders, and youth, providing a safe space to create, connect, and thrive. Our mission is to advance arts engagement as a tool for personal growth, social cohesion, and lasting community impact.

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 provides equitable access to the arts for more than 400 artists each year across the Greater St. Louis region. Through year-round, inclusive, research-based programming, participants build stronger mental health, confidence, and a sense of social belonging while developing workforce readiness skills that support greater independence. By intentionally reducing isolation and creating spaces where every artist is valued and seen, Artists First helps individuals achieve improved emotional wellness and meaningful community connections.

Artists First’s key programs include the Youth Studio, which serves youth ages 5–18 with and without disabilities through hands-on visual arts experiences that support emotional regulation, self-expression, and resilience in a safe, inclusive environment. Through the Creative Vocations self-directed program, adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) build hard and soft job skills, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and greater independence. 

Artists First for Veterans improves the well-being of veterans, especially those facing societal challenges through non-clinical creative self-expression. The art-based program supports veterans in their rehabilitation, recovery, and transition to civilian life. 

The Open Studio strengthens both the cultural and economic fabric of the community by providing a welcoming, inclusive space where individuals of all ages and abilities can engage in meaningful creative expression. By intentionally removing barriers to participation, the program expands access to arts engagement for diverse communities. The studio is fully equipped for a wide range of visual art practices, including clay, painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and textile arts. This breadth of materials allows participants to explore multiple mediums and identify those that best support their creative voice. Artists First’s community and wellness arts programming provides opportunities that promote mental health, social connection, and lifelong creative engagement.

Why We Do What We Do.

Across the Greater St. Louis region, many individuals, particularly youth, adults with disabilities, veterans, and elders, face significant barriers to accessing meaningful arts experiences and creative workforce pathways. Traditional education, therapy, and community programs often do not fully meet the needs of people who benefit from hands-on, expressive, and inclusive environments. As a result, many experience social isolation, limited opportunities for skill development, and unmet mental health and emotional wellness needs. Artists First addresses this gap through research-based, inclusive arts programming designed specifically for individuals of all abilities. By combining creative expression with skill-building and community integration, we provide a safe, welcoming space where participants can develop communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and vocational readiness in ways traditional models often cannot achieve. This holistic, arts-centered model meets participants where they are and elevates their strengths rather than focusing on deficits.