Ameren Employees Raise Funds for Arts & Education Council

St. Louis, MO – The Arts and Education Council is delighted to announce that nearly 2,000 employees of Ameren
Corporation have raised $112,318 through its 2012 Workplace Giving Campaign, PARTICIPATE – Keep Art
Happening, to support arts and arts education organizations throughout the 16-county, bi-state St. Louis area.
This year’s campaign theme, “PARTICIPATE – Keep Art Happening,” resonated with Ameren employees. “Each year
we stress to our employees how important this campaign is,” said Shawn Schukar, senior vice president of trading
and marketing, A&E board member, and Ameren’s campaign chair. “This year was no different; Ameren continued to
focus on campaign awareness and participation from our employees.” Samantha Hager, campaign coordinator for
many years, helped lead the team, with assistance from Sherry Radae and a team of volunteers.
Ameren’s involvement with the Arts and Education Council is far-reaching. Chairman, President & CEO Thomas R.
Voss recognizes A&E’s valuable contribution to the St. Louis community. “As a corporate leader, I recognize how
support of the arts contributes to our success in recruiting and retaining a talented and innovative workforce. Years of
research show that exposure to the arts is closely linked to an individual’s academic achievement, social and
emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity,” stated Voss. “Ameren proudly participates in
A&E’s annual fundraising efforts through Workplace Giving Campaigns, corporate giving and by supporting the
organization’s signature fundraising event, the St. Louis Arts Awards. For the past two years, my wife Carol and I had
the pleasure of co-hosting this event that honors individuals and organizations who achieve a legacy of artistic
excellence and businesses that enrich St. Louis’ arts and cultural community.”
According to Cynthia A. Prost, president, Arts and Education Council, “The business community’s support of the arts
helps make St. Louis a more desirable place to live, work and raise families. Because of the generosity of employees
like Ameren’s who donate to A&E, we are able to fund outstanding arts education programming for children and
adults of every demographic living in urban, rural and suburban communities. The St. Louis arts and cultural climate
would not be as diverse, accessible or vibrant without the critical support of our friends at Ameren,” noted Prost. “Our
region’s exceptional arts community is vital to our continued growth and economic development. In fact, the arts
support 10,000 jobs here and generate more than $582 million for the local economy annually.”
Centene Center for Arts and Education ● 3547 Olive Street ● St. Louis, MO 63103-1014
p 314.289.4000 ● f 314.289.4019 ● KeepArtHappening.org
Ameren’s campaign began with a coordinator kickoff luncheon, hosted by Schukar and Hager, and included speakers
from the Arts and Education Council’s leadership team and Christopher Limber, education director at Shakespeare
Festival St. Louis, a recipient of an A&E operating support grant. In addition to its annual three-week season of
performances in Forest Park, Shakespeare Festival also tackles the timely social issue of bullying with theatrical
adaptations for students of all ages with support from A&E.
Ameren’s campaign was conducted during a three-week period this spring. Several unique events were held for
employees during the campaign, and helped generate enthusiasm for multiple art forms. Events included
performances by the Black Rep, an A&E sustaining grant recipient, and magician Josh Routh. Southwest Airlines, the
official airline of the Arts and Education Council, donated round-trip airline tickets and Cardinals baseball tickets were
offered as incentive prizes to encourage participation.
Arts and Education Council – Established in 1963, the Arts and Education Council is the St. Louis region’s United Arts Fund
providing financial, technical and educational support for arts and arts education organizations. Since its inception, the Arts and
Education Council has raised and distributed over $100 million in private funding for the arts -- a significant contribution that
directly impacts the quality of life of our 16-county, bi-state St. Louis region. With funds raised, the Arts and Education Council
has provided more than 2,800 grants and annually assists approximately 70 nonprofit arts and arts education organizations.
Additionally, the Arts and Education Council owns the Centene Center for Arts and Education, a unique arts incubator located in
the Grand Center Arts District. The Center provides office, rehearsal and performance space for 18 arts nonprofit organizations.
Visit www.KeepArtHappening.org or call 314.289.4000 for more information.
Facebook: ArtsandEducation Twitter: @ArtEdSTL YouTube: ArtsandEducSTL
Ameren Corporation – With assets of more than $23 billion, St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation owns a diverse mix of electric
generating plants strategically located in the Midwest, with a generating capacity of more than 16,600 megawatts. Through its
Missouri and Illinois subsidiaries, Ameren Corporation serves 2.4 million electric customers and nearly one million natural gas
customers in a 64,000-square-mile area. Ameren’s mission is to meet its energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and
environmentally responsible manner.
For more information, visit www.Ameren.com.
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