Cultural Festivals was founded in 1994 by a group of passionate art enthusiasts who wanted to breathe life into the cultural landscape of St. Louis. The organization began under the official name "The Saint Louis Art Fair" and aimed to showcase high-end visual art and stimulating live performances.
The Art Fair Sourcebook has ranked the Saint Louis Art Fair in the top ten art fairs and festivals to visit. In 2001, due to the popularity of the live musical performances at the Art Fair, the organization decided to create a second event dedicated specifically to jazz musicians. Thus, the Jazz Fest was born, and with it, a new organization name that better encompassed its growing mission to bring a variety of cultural events to the St. Louis community–Cultural Festivals.