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, 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
Director, Connect2Culture
Community Arts Assistant, Connect2Culture
Missouri Arts Council Chair; Spiva Center for the Arts Trustee
Retired Joplin Region President, US Bank
Retired Partner, BKD LLP
Former Physician Recruiter, Freeman Health System
Former Interim Executive Director, Spiva Center for the Arts
Former Mayor of the City of Joplin, MEs Place Owner, Colbert-Connection Co-Host
Former Mayor of the City of Joplin, MEs Place Owner, Colbert-Connection Co-Host
General Council, Crossland Construction
Corporate Council, Crossland Construction
President/CEO, Arvest Bank Joplin Region
Marketing Director, Southwest Missouri Bank
Arts Supporter & Philanthropist
Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
President, Minnie Hackney Community Service Center
Social Security Administration
Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications, Liberty Utilities
Controller, Freeman Health System
Arts Supporter & Philanthropist; Children’s Center Gala Committee Member; St. Avips Chair
Arts Supporter & Philanthropist; Children’s Center Gala Committee Member; St. Avips Chair
Coordinator, Diversity and Inclusion, Kansas City University
City Manager, City of Joplin
Executive Director, Downtown Joplin Alliance
Superintendent, Joplin Schools
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)