Matthew R. Kerns, MFA to lead expansion St Lou Fringe in dual role of President & Artistic Director

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI— January 1, 2022 —The Board of Directors announced today that Matthew R. Kerns, MFA [2020 Diverse Business Leaders Award Winner] has accepted the new dual role of President and Artistic Director of St Lou Fringe. The organization was founded in 2011 as a haven for independent art makers and Kerns, former Chicago Off-Loop Theatre Artist, Educator, and Producer, has been at the helm since 2016 as Executive Director.

“Matthew’s new dual role as President and Artistic Director is intended to give him the runway and flexibility to guide St Lou Fringe into its second decade. Over the last ten years, St Lou Fringe has become one of the mainstays of an impressive St. Louis Arts Community and we’re extremely excited to continue to build on that work under Matthew’s excellent leadership.” said Jess Zimmerman,

St Lou Fringe Board President.

St Lou Fringe builds community by nurturing diverse independent artists and producing a world-class multidisciplinary annual festival that champions uncensored work, connects artistic work-makers to audiences, and educates and engages the local, regional, and global cultural communities around the work of independent arts.

“St Lou Fringe is the region’s original arts incubator for all the artistic disciplines, and I am honored to serve in this new dual role as President and Artistic Director. The expansion of St Lou Fringe will bestir independent and diverse artists creativity through new programs, including: STLFRINGE PRESENTS… IMMERSIVE ARTS; STLFRINGE ON ICE: A Holiday Film Festival; and by broadening of the original STLFRINGEFESTIVAL.” said Kerns, “FRINGE FESTIVAL continues to be the flagship program of our organization, and this year STLFRINGE FESTIVAL will be held August 15th - August 21st, 2022. More information can be found on our website at www.stlfringe.org”

Since 2011, St Lou Fringe has produced over 400 multidisciplinary works of art created by independent artists that have grown into productions locally, regionally, and nationally, including Off-Broadway. ###

Photo Credit: Suzy Gorman