ST. LOUIS, MO.- For 17 days and nights, beginning October 1, 2010, the The American Arts Experience – St. Louis will fill concert halls, museums, theaters, universities and outdoor spaces in the St. Louis area with dozens of performances and shows by renowned American artists and companies in disciplines ranging from symphonic music to jazz and singer-songwriters, theater by American playwrights and dance by American companies to major American visual artists. The American Arts Experience – St. Louis will be an annual festival each October celebrating all mediums of American arts.

“From October 1-17, 2010, all eyes will be on St. Louis as we build audience appreciation of American artists, including contemporary American music, dance, drama and visual arts,” said Paul Reuter, executive director of the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, one of the local arts groups spearheading the new festival. “Event-goers from the St. Louis region and beyond will be able to experience all aspects of American arts presented by St. Louis ’ quality arts organizations. St. Louis has all the ingredients to be a true festival city.”

The festival, with nearly 40 participating organizations, will showcase St. Louis ’ rich and diverse artistic community. Highlights of the festival include a performance by Grammy Award-winner Shawn Colvin at the Sheldon Concert Hall, George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue performed by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, High starring actress Kathleen Turner presented by the Repertory Theatre, Dancing Earth- an ensemble of performance artists and dancers presented by Edison Theatre, performances by influential saxophonist Joshua Redman at Jazz St. Louis, an intimate performance by the Houston Ballet presented by Dance St. Louis and an exhibition of work by American painter Joe Jones at the Saint Louis Art Museum. A full calendar of events can be accessed at www.AmericanArtsSTL.org.

“At anytime of the year, in any year, a visitor to St. Louis can see world-class theatre, music, dance and cultural exhibits, as our community is rich in all facets of the arts scene,” says Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, President of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission. “The American Arts Experience will offer a visitor the opportunity to immerse themselves in the arts within a concentrated period of time. We recommend at least three days!”

Adds Cynthia Prost, president of the Arts and Education Council: “The great collaboration among so many of St. Louis’ rich arts and cultural institutions will allow the American Arts Experience – St. Louis to shine and become an annual event that grows over time into one of the country’s most beloved, not-to-miss festivals. The American Arts Experience will be a highpoint of a year-round excellence in St. Louis arts programs that already draw audiences from around the country and around the world.”

Participating organizations include Art St. Louis, ArtDimensions, Belas Artes, The Black Rep, Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis, Chesterfield Arts, Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Craft Alliance, Dance St. Louis, Washington University Department of Music, Edison Theatre of Washington University, Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park, Historic Shaw Art Fair, Jazz St. Louis, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Mercantile Library, Metro Theater Company, Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri History Museum, Portfolio Gallery and Educational Center, Regional Arts Commission, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo, Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, St. Louis Artists’ Guild, St. Louis Classical Guitar Society, Stages St. Louis, The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and Touhill Performing Arts Center.