Spiva Center for the Arts

10/10/2026

Spiva will close at 1pm today, Sat Oct 10, for a private event! BUT we’ll see you tomorrow, Sun Oct 11 from 1-4pm for Second Sunday and a free community craft!!🩷

10/09/2026

Did you hear?👀 Last week, Mayor Rob O'Brian made the official proclamation that National Arts & Humanities Month is recognized in Joplin👏🎉

The arts and humanities enrich Joplin’s quality of life—bringing us theatre, dance, music, murals, festivals, and more. They support local schools, galleries, studios, and performance halls while also fueling our economy, creating jobs, and making Joplin a vibrant destination for business and tourism.

We invite YOU to celebrate in your own way - explore an exhibit, take a class, experience a performance, and join in the creative and cultural activities across the city. Explore Spiva's exhibits and upcoming classes at https://spivaarts.org/

10/07/2026

This weekend is Second Sunday at Spiva!
Sunday, Oct 11, 1-4pm🎨

Upcycled garlands are in your future🍂 Join this FREE community event to hang out, create, and get your fall decor started with something handmade and homey, 1-4pm.

Donations appreciated to help keep these events thriving🩷

Oct 11 is also the last day to see our current exhibits in all four galleries👀 spivaarts.org/exhibition

10/07/2026

Are you a medical or healthcare professional, social worker, therapist, EMT, first responder, or related professional? Check out this workshop led by MSSU, to be held with us in our galleries on Nov 7!🤩

See more and save your spot at https://spivaarts.org/event/observational-empathy-workshop-mssu-spiva/

Missouri Southern and Spiva Center for the Arts are partnering for an Observational Empathy Workshop on Nov. 7.

Explore how the visual arts can strengthen observation, communication and empathy in professional practice. CE credit is available for several fields.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4y6EJrm

10/06/2026

We can’t wait for May 7!!🎉🥂

And with that, we Cha-cha-cha! 💃

Get your fans, vibrant classic cars (and maybe a little rum?) because St. Avips Ball’s Havana Nights kicks off NOW!

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 7th and we’ll see you on the dance floor!

10/05/2026

Check out the Kansas City Artists Coalition's brand new Juried open call, Central States Regional Juried Exhibition🥳👏 Submissions are open until October 19th!⬇️

We are excited to announce our brand new Juried open call, Central States Regional Juried Exhibition!
The Kansas City Artists Coalition (KCAC) Central States Regional Juried Exhibition is a juried exhibition aiming to highlight outstanding contemporary artwork being produced across the Central States region. This exhibition is intended to increase visibility for artists working throughout the region, encourage dialogue across state lines, and strengthen connections among artists and audiences across the Midwest.
Artists at all stages of their careers residing in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are eligible to apply. Selected through a competitive jurying process, the exhibition will feature work demonstrating strong visual, conceptual, and technical merit across a broad range of contemporary practices and media.
How to Apply
Go to https://www.kansascityartistscoalition.org/kcac-open-calls, scroll to Central States Regional Juried Exhibition block and click the “Applications Now Open!” button
Application Fee
A nonrefundable $10 application fee is required. All application fees collected will be pooled and awarded as first- and second-place prizes.

Submission Open: September 11, 2026 - October 19, 2026
Applicants Notified: October 27th
Artwork Drop-Off : October 28, 2026 - November 14, 2026 between 11am - 4:30pm
Exhibition on view | November 20, 2026 - December 18, 2026 Wednesday through Saturday 11am to 5pm
Artwork Pick-Up | December 19, 2026 from 11am - 5pm

For More Information, don't hesitate to reach out!

10/05/2026

Engagement with the arts can help to regulate our emotions, build resilience, and support long-term well-being. Psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt joins the host of Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam, to talk about this research, and to share practical ways to bring more creativity into our everyday lives🩷

Art truly is a powerhouse for our wellbeing.🎨 Take a listen on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast Episode · Hidden Brain · August 24 · 49m

10/04/2026

Ope!

Available at the Spiva Gift Shop😊
Tues-Sat 10am-5pm
Second Sundays 1-4pm

10/03/2026

It's National Arts & Humanities Month!🎨🖌💃🕺🎭📝

Mayor Rob O'Brian made the official proclamation that National Arts & Humanities Month is recognized in Joplin👏🎉 We invite YOU to celebrate in your own way - explore an exhibit, take a class, experience a performance, and join in the creative and cultural activities across the city.

There is no lack of talent or passion in our area. Celebrate with us!

Explore Spiva's exhibits and upcoming classes at https://spivaarts.org/