Our nationally recognized work in dance, hip hop, spoken word, photography, and videography helps youth to develop resilience, a social safety net, friends and shelter with safe spaces to gather.
Through a series of creative, paid, and mentor-led programs, Story Stitchers empowers St. Louis youth and young adults (ages 16–25) to use art as a tool for change. Participants gain access to safe studio spaces, artistic training, and leadership development while exploring real issues like gun violence, mental health, and community healing.
From producing podcasts and performing original works across the city to engaging in service, media, and financial literacy workshops, youth use their voices to inspire understanding, build skills for adulthood, and create positive impact in their communities.
Looking for a safe, free space to create, connect, and grow? Our youth council welcomes creative young people ages 16–25 from across the St. Louis metro area. Join us for music, mentorship, healing, financial literacy, job skills, leadership development, performance, journalism, dance, podcasting, media and marketing, community service, and plenty of open studio nights!
If you’re 16–25 and living in the St. Louis region, we encourage you to apply today and be part of a positive movement for change. Click Here to Apply
Pick the City Up is Story Stitchers’ high-energy youth-led performance tour that brings dance, hip hop, spoken word, and live storytelling straight into schools and community spaces. The tour uses the arts to spark real conversations about public health, mental wellness, and nonviolence. Empowering young people to lift their voices, share their stories, and build a safer St. Louis together.
StitchCast Studio unites St. Louis youth (ages 16–25) with professional artists in a paid, four week program to create powerful podcast episodes. Through mentor-led workshops, participants from economically challenged, high-crime areas use dialogue, poetry, and music to share their lived experiences and explore issues like gun violence, life transitions, and mental health. The program amplifies youth voices, fosters understanding, and supports positive change helping young people transition successfully into adulthood and work toward a safer, more connected community.
Story Stitchers’ visual arts programs give St. Louis youth hands-on creative experience through workshops and mentorship with leading local artists. Young people collaborate on meaningful public art projects—such as murals and mixed-media installations—that help beautify their neighborhoods and uplift community stories.
Through these experiences, youth build artistic skills, confidence, and leadership, using visual storytelling to bring color and positive change to the communities they call home.
