State arts council names Joplin 'Creative Community'

The Missouri Arts Council selected Joplin as its Creative Community in the 2012 Missouri Arts Awards slated for Feb. 8 in Jefferson City.

The award recognizes a community that uses the arts to promote economic growth, tourism, business, resident attraction and civic growth. MAC  representatives  said Joplin was selected for its arts programs as well as the creative thinking displayed during the rebuilding process following the May 22 tornado.

Each year, the Missouri Arts Council honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the cultural and artistic climate of the state.

Other honorees, by category: Sharyn Hyatt-Wade, of Columbia, for arts education; Sheldon Arts Foundation, in St. Louis, for the top arts organization; Billyo O’Donnell, of Eureka, for the top individual artist; Michael Gaines, of Hannibal, for leadership in the arts; and PNC Alive (The PNC Financial Services Group Inc. and PNC Foundation), in Clayton, for philanthropy.

The awards will officially be presented in a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2012 at the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.[[In-content Ad]]