Our Mission:

Igniting A Passion For The Arts,
Culture, And Entertainment.

Connect2Culture

Connect2Culture (C2C) strives to enrich the Joplin area by “igniting a passion for the arts, culture, and entertainment.” It accomplishes this as a community arts agency, visionary, and performing arts presenter.

Connect2Culture is Joplin's Community Arts Agency
Connect2Culture is a Visionary
Connect2Culture is a Performing Arts Presenter

As Joplin’s community arts agency, as recognized by the Missouri Arts Council, C2C promotes and supports all arts and cultural activity in the Joplin area, serving as a collective voice for 50+ organizations. Sharing information across multiple channels, C2C builds audience and improves access to the offerings of our creative community.

C2C is the visionary and driving force behind the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex. Opening in 2022, the Complex will be a major destination contributing to revitalization efforts in downtown Joplin. This multifunctional building will be home for the arts, bringing together Connect2Culture, Spiva Center for the Arts, and more under one roof. Find details at cornellcomplex.org.

As a performing arts presenter, C2C’s annual season offers residents and visitors world class entertainment at an affordable price. From gifted singers and remarkable bands to hilarious skits and thrilling dancers, each performance will delight audiences as soon as the curtain’s up.

Team

Emily Frankoski
Emily Frankoski
Director
"Connect2Culture (C2C) is unlike any organization in the Joplin area – respected community arts agency."
Lauren Brown
Lauren Brown
Community Arts Assistant
"Connect2Culture (C2C) is unlike any organization in the Joplin area – respected community arts agency."
Sharon Beshore
Sharon Beshore
Chair
"Chair (Missouri Arts Council Chair; Spiva Center for the Arts Trustee)"
Clifford Wert
Clifford Wert
President & CFO
"President & CFO (US Bank, Joplin Region President – Retired)"
Troy Hill
Troy Hill
Vice President
"Vice President (BKD, LLP, CPA)"
Amanda Mitchell
Amanda Mitchell
Secretary
"Secretary (Freeman Health System, Physician Recruiter)"
Susan Adams
Susan Adams
Board Member
"Board Member (Spiva Center for the Arts, Interim Executive Director)"
Melodee Colbert-Kean
Melodee Colbert-Kean
Board Member

Former Mayor of the City of Joplin, MEs Place Owner, Colbert-Connection Co-Host

Alex Curchin
Alex Curchin
Board Member
"Board Member (Crossland Construction, General Council)"
Anne Curchin
Anne Curchin
Board Member
"Board Member (Crossland Construction, Corporate Council)"
Chad Evans
Chad Evans
Board Member

President/CEO, Arvest Bank Joplin Region

Peggy Fuller
Peggy Fuller
Board Member

Marketing Director, Southwest Missouri Bank

Jeri-Lynn Joseph
Jeri-Lynn Joseph
Board Member
"Board Member (Arts Supporter & Philanthropist)"
Brad McIntyre
Brad McIntyre
Board Member
"Board Member (Edward Jones, Financial Advisor)"
Nanda Nunnelly-Sparks
Nanda Nunnelly-Sparks
Board Member

President, Minnie Hackney Community Service Center

Fred Palmer
Fred Palmer
Board Member

Social Security Administration

Kelli Price
Kelli Price
Board Member

Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Liberty Utilities

Michael Sanders
Michael Sanders
Board Member
"Board Member *Freeman Health System, Controller)"
Amanda Stanley
Amanda Stanley
Board Member

Arts Supporter & Philanthropist; Children’s Center Gala Committee Member; St. Avips Chair

Cynthia Torres
Cynthia Torres
Board Member

Coordinator, Diversity and Inclusion, Kansas City University

Nick Edwards
Nick Edwards
Ex Officio

City Manager, City of Joplin

Lori Haun
Lori Haun
Ex-Officio
"Ex-Officio (Downtown Joplin Alliance, Executive Director)"
Dr. Kerry Sachetta
Dr. Kerry Sachetta
Ex Officio

Superintendent, Joplin Schools

Dean Van Galen
Dean Van Galen
Ex Officio

President, Missouri Southern State University

Board of Directors

Sharon Beshore, Chair (Missouri Arts Council Chair; Spiva Center for the Arts Trustee)

Clifford Wert, President & CFO (US Bank, Joplin Region President – Retired)

Troy Hill, Vice President (BKD, LLP, CPA)

Amanda Mitchell, Secretary (Freeman Health System, Physician Recruiter)

Susan Adams, Board Member (Spiva Center for the Arts, Interim Executive Director)

Melodee Colbert-Kean, Board Member (Former Mayor of the City of Joplin, MEs Place Owner, Colbert-Connection Co-Host)

Alex Curchin, Board Member (Crossland Construction, General Counsel)

Anne Curchin, Board Member (Crossland Construction, Corporate Counsel)

Chad Evans, Board Member (President/CEO, Arvest Bank Joplin Region)

Peggy Fuller, Board Member (Southwest Missouri Bank, Marketing Director)

Jeri Lynn Joseph, Board Member (Arts Supporter & Philanthropist)

Brad McIntyre, Board Member (Edward Jones, Financial Advisor)

Nanda Nunnelly-Sparks, Board Member (Minnie Hackney Community Service Center, President)

Fred Palmer, Board Member (Social Security Administration)

Kelli Price, Board Member (Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Liberty Utilities)

Michael Sanders, Board Member (Freeman Health System, Controller)

Amanda Stanley, Board Member (Arts Supporter & Philanthropist; Children’s Center Gala Committee Member; St. Avips Chair)

Cynthia Torres, Board Member (Coordinator, Diversity and Inclusion, Kansas City University)

Nick Edwards, Ex-Officio (City of Joplin, City Manager)

Lori Haun, Ex-Officio (Downtown Joplin Alliance, Executive Director)

Dr. Kerry Sachetta, Ex-Officio (Joplin Schools, Superintendent)

Dean Van Galen, Ex-Officio (Missouri Southern State University, President)

Learn More About Our Sponsors

Organizational Sponsors

Performance Sponsors

Capital Campaign Sponsors

Contact

Connect2Culture (C2C) is a not-for-profit arts organization founded in 2009 to enhance community through culture. Unlike any organization in the Joplin area, C2C is a respected community arts agency, a champion of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, and a performing arts presenter. C2C strives to expand audience and resources needed to “ignite a passion for the arts, culture, and entertainment” in the Joplin area.