Chris Hansen
Photos provided by Chris Hansen
Website: Kranzberg Art Foundation
Instagram: @kranzbergart
Facebook: @KranzbergArts
Twitter: @KranzbergArts
LinkedIn: Connect
5(ish) Questions for is a chance to discover and learn about St. Louis Creatives, Community Champions, and, well, just interesting people in and around our city. It's a deep dive into what they love and where their passion lies. It's an opportunity for all of us to see our region from a different perspective. This written interview is a peek into their lives and their outlook on St. Louis.
Hi, Chris, thanks for being here! Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a very happily married, father of 4. I am passionate about St. Louis, in particular our Arts & Culture communities. I love gardening and watching my children grow and thrive in whatever they are enjoying at the time.
And the foundation…
The Kranzberg Arts Foundation is one of the key private funders of the Arts in the St. Louis region. Through an arts-based approach to community development, we build the artistic venues, studios & workspaces, and community-focused programs that provide essential infrastructure for arts to thrive.
In my role as Executive Director, I ensure we are aligning our resources and investments with the needs and call to action from the broader community. While leading a staff that seasonally grows to over 75 employees, I oversee our new developments and initiatives and work with our regional non-profit, business, civic, and government leaders to establish St. Louis as a premier art and entertainment destination, helping to retain and attract talent and industry throughout the sector.
What impact are you making, or hoping to make?
I hope my work is making a difference in the everyday life of our region's artists and creative communities, which in turn is making St. Louis a better place to live and work.
What are some of your goals for the next year or next five years?
1. Help establish St. Louis as a premier art and entertainment destination on the world stage.
2. Help ensure our region's arts and cultural assets are used as one of the top 5 ways to retain and attract talent, increase civic pride, and catalyze tourism.
3. Continue to advance the mission of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation and the St. Louis Art Place Initiative.
What inspires you about St. Louis?
Our heritage, our resilience, and our potential. Oh, did I mention our incredible Arts & Culture scene?
What's your current cultural obsession?
Arts-Based Community Development
What do you do in your spare time?
I spend most of my free time playing in my yard and garden. And, from time to time I still get to play music with a little help from my friends!
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