Member Spotlight: Connect2Culture (C2C)

“Connect2Culture (C2C) is the cultural heartbeat of Joplin,” says Emily Frankoski, Director of C2C.

The group is a not-for-profit that supports local arts, culture, and entertainment by promoting creative opportunities. They advocate for more than 50 local organizations, acting as a “collective voice” for the arts and cultural community.

“By highlighting and sharing information through a variety of channels, accessibility to creative offerings is increased and reliable,” Frankoski adds.

C2C is also dedicated to serving the community as a performing arts presenter. Their Curtains Up Series allows residents and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy a variety of performances, like Ailey II, David Phelps, Voctave, and The Choir of Man, without breaking the bank.

All these services are driven by their mission to ignite a passion for the arts, culture, and entertainment within the Joplin area. Frankoski believes many community members would like more access to arts and culture and C2C is there to encourage and grow that passion.

“People in Joplin and the surrounding area are hungry for arts, culture, and entertainment,” she explains. “C2C helps bring a larger goal into focus: growing a cohesive arts and cultural community and creating a more aware and engaged community.”

And by 2022, C2C will become an even stronger beacon for arts and culture with the completion of the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex. With it comes a 475-seat performance hall, expanded gallery spaces for Spiva Center for the Arts (Spiva), an outdoor amphitheater accommodating 2,000, office space for other arts and cultural organizations, and much more. C2C has been the driving force behind the complex, which will become “home” for both C2C and Spiva.

“The future is bright for the arts, culture, and entertainment in Joplin and C2C!” concludes Frankoski.

Curious about Connect2Culture? Visit their website or find them on social media at @Connect2Culture. And visit cornellcomplex.org to learn more about the Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex.