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.
As Joplin’s community arts agency, 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 remains 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 Curtains Up Series 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.
History
Team
“Director, Connect2Culture”
“Community Arts Assistant, Connect2Culture”
“Chair (Missouri Arts Council Chair; Spiva Center for the Arts Trustee)”
“President & CFO (US Bank, Joplin Region President – Retired)”
“Vice President (BKD, LLP, CPA)”
“Secretary (Freeman Health System, Physician Recruiter)”
“Board Member (Spiva Center for the Arts, Interim Executive Director)”
“Board Member (Freeman Health System, Controller)”
“Board Member (Crossland Construction, General Council)”
“Board Member (Crossland Construction, Corporate Council)”
Board Member (Southwest Missouri Bank, Marketing Director)
“Board Member (Arts Supporter & Philanthropist)”
“Board Member (Edward Jones, Financial Advisor)”
Board Member (Minnie Hackney Community Service Center, President)
“Board Member (Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Liberty Utilities)”
“Board Member (Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Liberty Utilities)”
“Board Member (Former Mayor of the City of Joplin, MEs Place Owner, Colbert-Connection Co-Host)”
“Board Member (Arts Supporter & Philanthropist; Children’s Center Gala Committee Member; St. Avips Chair)”
“Board Member (Arts Supporter & Philanthropist; Children’s Center Gala Committee Member; St. Avips Chair)”
“Ex Officio (City of Joplin, City Manager)”
“Ex-Officio (Downtown Joplin Alliance, Executive Director)”
“Ex Officio (Joplin Schools, Superintendent)”
“Ex Officio (Missouri Southern State University, President)”
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)
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)
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)
Nick Edwards, Ex-Officio (City of Joplin, City Manager)
Lori Haun, Ex-Officio (Downtown Joplin Alliance, Executive Director)
Dr. Melinda Moss, Ex-Officio (Joplin Schools, Superintendent)
Dean Van Galen, Ex-Officio (Missouri Southern State University, President)