We are pleased to announce exceeding our original $16 million commitment goal!
New Renderings
A virtual celebration revealing new exterior renderings of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (The Cornell Complex) was held Tuesday, June 30, 11:30am via Zoom and Facebook Live.
In addition to a virtual presentation to the public featuring newly finalized exterior renderings, the group provided an update on the current timeline, total financial commitments to date, additional naming opportunities that have been created, as well as other relevant information. Preliminary renderings featuring the interior of the Beshore Performance Hall were also shown.
Looking Southeast from 7th Street & Wall Avenue
Featured presenters during the reveal (in order of appearance): Emily Frankoski (Director of Connect2Culture), Sharon Beshore (President of The Cornell Complex; Chair of Connect2Culture), Susan Adams (Interim Executive Director of Spiva Center for the Arts), and Clifford Wert (Treasurer of The Cornell Complex; President/CFO of Connect2Culture).
Timeline: The project is on target, with construction documents set to be finalized by October and bidding to take place in November/December. Construction is scheduled to start in January 2021 and building completion to arrive Fall 2022.
Financial Commitments: Financial commitments for this community-driven project now total nearly $15.9 million (over 90% of the new $17.5 million goal).
Looking Northwest from 8th Street & Joplin Avenue
Naming Opportunities: Additional naming opportunities have been created with these more fully developed plans. These will help raise the remaining $1.5 million needed.
Other Relevant Updates: Work on the project continues diligently with the architects (DLR Group, New York City, NY, and CGA Architects, Joplin, MO) and construction manager (Crossland Construction, Columbus, KS). This has led not only to the finalized exterior renderings, but significant progress has also been made on interior floor plans, interior design and finishes, as well as the rooftop venue and outdoor performance/event space.
Relevant Links:
Facebook Live Video: https://www.facebook.com/cornellcomplex/videos/4307969639228029/ (a video will also be made available via Connect2Culture’s YouTube Channel within 48 hours).
Cornell Complex Website: https://www.cornellcomplex.org/
Cornell Complex Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cornellcomplex
Renderings Reveal
Even in uncertain times, we must remain optimistic about the future of our community, region, and country. Now, more than ever, we must continue building the bridges needed to support and grow community through the arts.
Join us Tuesday, June 30 at 11:30am CST for a virtual celebration as we reveal new exterior renderings of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex!
You may register for the Zoom webinar by clicking here OR feel free to tune in via Facebook Live streaming on The Cornell Complex Facebook page. Registering via Zoom is the most reliable way to attend. Please note that questions will only be answered in real-time via Zoom (Facebook Live questions will be answered at a later time).
$15.8 Million Pledged
An update and media briefing pertaining to the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (The Cornell Complex) was held Monday, January 27, 11:00am at Spiva Center for the Arts (222 West 3rd St, Joplin, MO 64801).
An exciting new total of funding commitments were shared, as well as an updated timeline and information pertaining to the governance of the Complex. A 3-D printed model of the most current rendering, and how it compares to the surrounding area, was on display.
It was announced that a total of $15.8 million in commitments have been received from 248 individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. This is 98.7% of the $16 million goal for the project. This new total is a $1,142,000 increase from the amount revealed at the Launch Party held in June 2019 that ultimately secured the land for the project.
“We are definitely going to build The Cornell Complex within our budget and manage the process as we continue our capital campaign,” stated Clifford Wert, President & CFO, Connect2Culture.
The Cornell Complex will be a major new destination in downtown Joplin that will enhance quality of life and create a gathering place for citizens, area residents, and visitors.
The multifunctional Cornell Complex will consist of a 450-475 seat performance hall, new and expanded gallery spaces for Spiva Center for the Arts, an outdoor amphitheater/festival plaza with an updated capacity for 1,500-2,000 people, rooftop venues, and more. Connect2Culture will manage all performance venues, while Spiva will manage gallery and classroom spaces. New interior plans consist of a shared stage for both indoor and outdoor performances. Plans also include potential office space for arts and cultural organizations, in addition to those of Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts.
The Capital Campaign Committee for The Cornell Complex has now challenged itself to seek a new grand total of $17.5 million in commitments to further enhance the Complex. Enhancements may include: a canopy for the amphitheater, outdoor interactive water feature, sculptures throughout the grounds, orchestra shell, a marley floor for dance performances, and additional offices for local arts and cultural organizations.
“Opportunity now exists for more supporters to join and make The Cornell Complex an even greater facility for this community,” said Wert. “The more we raise, the more of these enhancements we can provide.”
The timeline for the project is on schedule with groundbreaking planned for late 2020. The Complex will open to the public in Fall 2022. As previously announced, architects for the project are DLR Group/Westlake Reed Leskosky of New York City, NY and Corner Greer & Associates of Joplin, MO. The Construction Manager for the project is Crossland Construction Company headquartered in Columbus, KS.
In addition, it was announced that effective August 5, 2019, the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex was incorporated under the State of Missouri Nonprofit Corporation Act. The board of the corporation consists of nine members. The three members representing Connect2Culture include Clifford Wert, Troy Hill, and Anne Curchin. The three members representing Spiva Center for the Arts include Annette Thurston, Steve Graddy, and Angela Austin Vorhees. Sharon Beshore is the Cornell/Beshore family designee. Two independent members include Dr. Ronald Lankford and Laurie Delano. Officers are Sharon Beshore as President, Annette Thurston as Secretary, and Clifford Wert as Treasurer. The Cornell Complex is in the process of obtaining its 501c3 designation from the Internal Revenue Service.
Crowdfunding Results
Connect2Culture (C2C) and Spiva Center for the Arts (Spiva) are pleased to announce that their month-long crowdfunding effort for The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex (The Cornell Complex) far exceeded expectations.
The crowdfunding effort, held June 3–July 3, 2019, began with a $5,000 match from an anonymous donor – making the initial goal for this specific campaign $10,000 (i.e. $5,000 from the match, plus $5,000 in other contributions). All crowdfunding contributions were accepted through “Cause Momentum,” a crowdfunding platform powered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Due to the generosity of this community, the initial $5,000 was raised before deadline and the anonymous donor was inspired to match all donations, surpassing the initial $5,000 match, through the deadline (i.e. overall, the anonymous donor matched, dollar-for-dollar, for all donations to the month-long effort). By July 3, 2019, a grand total of $20,710 had been raised through the month-long crowdfunding effort.
The Cornell Complex Launch Party, hosted by C2C and Spiva on Monday, June 3, 2019, at the site location, was the official kick-off of this specific crowdfunding effort. The event attracted over 175 attendees, bringing together city and state officials, donors, arts and cultural organizations, and citizens in support of The Cornell Complex. It was there that C2C and Spiva announced they had exceeded the $14 million amount needed to fulfill the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Joplin and move forward with the project. Cash received, at that time, was reported totaling $5,132,783. Pledges from 192 individuals, businesses, foundations, and groups totaled $14,658,216. Efforts to continue positive momentum and reach the ultimate fundraising goal of $16 million for The Cornell Complex sparked the creation of this month-long crowdfunding effort.
C2C and Spiva would like to thank all generous donors who contributed to this crowdfunding project. Money raised during the month-long crowdfunding effort will contribute to the $16 million ultimately needed for the The Cornell Complex. To date, including the crowdfunding effort contributions, a total of $14,756,070 has been pledged to the project by 234 individuals, businesses, foundations, and groups.
When completed, The Cornell Complex will advance the revitalization of downtown Joplin and provide a new home for area arts in a state-of-the-art facility.