Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis

Her reputation precedes her. She’s an enthusiastic, full-time community volunteer, supporter and advocate for all forms of the arts. In fact, some say she is a 21st century arts pioneer. Nancy Kranzberg builds partnerships between local artists and organizations affiliated with music, visual arts and theater to strengthen the image and programs of St. Louis’ arts community. Some of these partnerships have assisted in discovering new talent by local artists. Collaborations have benefited causes such as education, and social and health-driven charities. Nancy, who herself is an accomplished jazz vocalist and host of KDHX’s “The Arts are Alive in St. Louis,” feels that the arts have taught her more than she can ever give. Nancy also makes commentaries on the arts for radio station KWMU, and regards the arts as nourishment for the soul.

Nancy is a native St. Louisan who fondly remembers her first arts scene experience in Forest Park, as she attended Muny productions with her parents. That’s where her passion for the arts began. Nancy’s high school teachers also played a major role in introducing her to the arts. She loved to sing, performing in University City High School musicals, as well as at her alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis, where she graduated with an A.B. degree. One of Nancy’s fondest memories is of the Washington University Choir’s trip to Carnegie Hall to perform with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

As St. Louis’ biggest cheerleader for the arts, Nancy specializes in collaboration and networking. Some of those collaborations include linking the New Music Circle, of which she was president for five years, with the Forum for Contemporary Art. When the Circle Cinema had no place to perform, she made the connection with the Saint Louis Art Museum. And, as a caring docent for Laumeier Sculpture Park, she suggested that Rich O’Donnell, retired chief percussionist of the Saint Louis Symphony, should write the score for Laumeier’s “Fire and Ice” winter solstice event. Nancy and her husband, Ken, funded one of her favorite projects in 1997, the Nancy Spirtas Kranzberg Studio for the Illustrated Book. It provides education to Washington University students in bookmaking and design programs, and is an excellent collaboration between the Art School, libraries and writers from the school.

Nancy uses her professional and personal contacts to generate growth and fundraising results on the boards and committees of which she has been a member: Art St. Louis, The Center for the Humanities at the University of Missouri St. Louis, Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, Craft Alliance, Jazz St. Louis, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Libraries’ Eliot Society Membership Committee, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Millstone Gallery at COCA, Missouri Arts Council, Missouri Mansion Preservation Committee, Pioneer Literary Group, Places for People, Saint Louis Art Museum (docent for more than 30 years), Sheldon Art Foundation, Washington University’s National Council for Libraries, St. Louis Artworks, and Washington University’s Women’s Society.

Her heart for cause-driven challenges was initially developed through her family and her Jewish faith, which encourages helping those in need. She believes in her father-in-law’s saying, that “nobody ever went broke from giving.” But it was her first experience donating $1,000 to a local children’s charity that launched a newfound passion for giving. After the organization learned of her donation, Nancy received three phone calls telling her how much the gift was appreciated, and how it would benefit the organization’s mission. This response made her realize the positive impact she and other individuals could make if everyone gives a little.

Through the years, Nancy’s passions for the arts and non-profit causes have generated numerous awards to thank her for her dedication: Grand Center’s Visionary Award; Hellenic Spirit Award; Places for People’s Mildred Dunn Lifetime Achievement Award; University City High School Hall of Fame; Woman of Achievement; Washington University Dean’s Medal for the Olin Library; Washington University Distinguished Alumni at Founders Day; and with her husband, Ken (and what a team they are), the Jane and Whitney Harris Community Service Award, Missouri Arts Award for Philanthropy, Missouri Citizens for Arts Advocacy Award, Springboard to Learning’s Spotlight Award, St. Louis Arts and Education Council’s Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award, Wesley House’s Pillar of the Community Award, American Jewish Committee Community Service Award, and Grand Center Gala Honorees.

Nancy has taught her two daughters, Lily and Mary Ann, the importance of keeping the arts alive and giving to causes that have a lasting impact. Nancy’s early introduction to the arts translated into helping some of this region’s most important arts, education, social and health-driven causes.