Steven F. Schankman Family
Founding Member
Born and raised in St. Louis, I have so much to be thankful for. My family’s history is deep in the field of music.
My grandfather, Jack Schankman, started the Systomatic School of Music in the 1930s. My father, Leon Schankman, went from the front lines in the Battle of the Bulge to his dream job as a violinist in the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for over thirty years. Currently, along with my musical career, my son, Peter, is performing with the contemporary band, FatPocket, as I continue to lead the Fabulous Motown Revue into its 30th year.
St. Louis is rich in great institutions from the Saint Louis Symphony to the Saint Louis Zoo. I am proud to have served on both Boards, and as Chairman of the Saint Louis Zoo for seven years.
Although we have donated to many other great institutions, our biggest gift was to the Saint Louis Zoo. Along with Thelma Zalk, the Schankman family donated one million dollars to the Animals Always Plaza located the Zoo’s Front door just off of Highway 40/64. We also donated to the Zoo’s Insectarium Plaza, the MaryAnn Lee Carousel and many other exhibits and events.
Present gifts are very important in philanthropic activities. However, we feel that Legacy gifts are equally important. The Steven F. Schankman Family has pledged three million dollars in Legacy gifts to help sustain the many needs of our great zoo as a place for over three million visitors to enjoy every year, including our family.
About Steven F. Schankman
Steve founded Contemporary Productions in 1968 to book and promote concerts. Over the past almost fifty years Contemporary has produced over 22,000 concerts, special events and marketing programs including The Rolling Stones, U2, Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Michael Bublé and Jerry Seinfeld. Some of the company’s most acclaimed events included the Super Bowl Halftime Show with U2 in 2001, the Papal Visit in 1999, and the St. Louis Cake Walk.
After selling Contemporary Productions to what would eventually be known as Live Nation, Steve and his team started the next version of Contemporary Productions to produce entertainment, special events and marketing programs.
Steve credits his team of professionals for the success of Contemporary Productions and has always put customer satisfaction and his team as the top most important components of his successful company.
Contemporary is known as the producer of many successful events for St. Louis’ companies, institutions and charities.