Hustling the Creative Economy: Black Artists, Precarious Work in the St. Louis Arts Ecosystem

What does it take to build a creative career in a city shaped by deep racial and economic divides? Drawing on Dr. Kwon’s research on the lives and aspirations of Black creatives in the region, this panel explores how Black artists navigate entrepreneurship, unstable work, and segregated resources. For many, “the hustle” goes beyond ambition and becomes a strategy for survival, self-determination, and well-being. Join us for a candid conversation with local artists (and Webster University alums) about race, work, and what it means to sustain creative lives in St. Louis today.

Panelists: Dr. Jong Bum Kwon, Kayla “Kv the Writer” Thompson, and Phil Irving