A Milestone Year
2021 was a huge year for the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex and we couldn't have done it without your support!
Representatives of the Complex, Connect2Culture, and Spiva Center for the Arts, alongside approximately 125 community members, gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Cornell Complex on February 1st. After remarks from project leaders, attendees stood socially distanced outlining a spray-painted footprint of the soon-to-be Complex. Pompoms waved, a drone flew overhead, and all counted down in anticipation of this long-awaited milestone. Thank you to all who came! Relive the special moment with our official groundbreaking ceremony video below.
In June, our official time lapse camera began capturing all of the onsite action. Videos continue to be released monthly and have captured milestone moments in the building’s construction. Highlights include foundation work, concrete pours, plumbing and electrical installation, the erection of steel, masonry, roof decking and installation, floor protection, interior and exterior framing, and more.
Five short months after the groundbreaking, the official "Topping Out" Ceremony was held on July 30th. Representatives from the Cornell Complex, Connect2Culture, Spiva Center for the Arts, Crossland Construction Company, Inc., CGA Architects, Joplin City Government, media outlets, and others watched as the final steel beam of the Complex was set, marking a major milestone in its construction.
In June, our official time lapse camera began capturing all of the onsite action. Videos continue to be released monthly and have captured milestone moments in the building’s construction. Highlights include foundation work, concrete pours, plumbing and electrical installation, the erection of steel, masonry, roof decking and installation, floor protection, interior and exterior framing, and more.
Building Basics
Our November time lapse is here! As the weather turned cooler, Crossland Construction crews turned to more detailed work on the building: installing the fire suppression system, preparing the roof for further work, and continuing interior and exterior framing. See it all come together in the newest video update!
Missed a video? Watch the progression of this dream becoming reality and see future updates on the Cornell Complex website!
Cornell Conversations
Board members from Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts saw firsthand the progress being made on the Cornell Complex during a brief tour of their future home on Monday, September 27th. Would you like tour the site? Tours are available upon request. We'd love to show you the progress!
The Cornell Complex's operating organizations are kicking off the first few months of 2022 with some exciting events! See below for information about Connect2Culture's upcoming performances featuring Charles McPherson and Spiva Center for the Arts' opening reception for two new exhibits.
Do you have an important moment coming up in 2022? Maybe a special anniversary, milestone birthday, child’s graduation, or even the birth of a new grandchild? Celebrate with us by designating a financial gift in honor of that event or person! We can conveniently add your designated dollar amount to an existing pledge and we’ll even send a special note to your chosen honoree! Just let us know who, where and when to send it and your thoughtful gift will be acknowledged tastefully by the Cornell Complex!
C2C’s Year In Review
Speaking of milestone's…
2021 was FULL of them for Joplin's arts and cultural community. Each year, Connect2Culture collects these moments and creates a retrospective including some of the most memorable arts and cultural moments in the Joplin area. Don't miss this! Click here.
Cornell Community
View the latest links to media featuring the Cornell Complex, like 4 States Live's building updates, The Joplin Globe's coverage of the Topping Out Ceremony, KOAM's coverage of the Topping Out Ceremony, and The Joplin Globe's article about new construction in Joplin in 2021 featuring the Complex.
YEAR END GIVING
Despite minor set backs and supply chain hiccups, the Cornell Complex is on track and still set to open late 2022. To date, a total of 326 individuals, businesses, foundations, and community organizations have committed $16,989,344 – 97% of the expanded $17.5 million goal! All donations, big or small, are still needed to help reach the expanded goal. Join us!
