MAAA | Programs | Prof. Development | Missouri | OPI | Poplar Bluff

The Claudia Foundation was founded in 1989 with the mission of educating, equipping, and empowering young people for the future. They provide grants, scholarships and educational opportunities for girls in the Poplar Bluff area.

In the last few years, they’ve expanded their mission to include operating as a cultural center for Poplar Bluff and for area children who lack access to the arts.

The Foundation recently hosted their OPI exhibition, Keep 'Em Flying! Everyday Life in a WWII Fighter Squadron. They organized a panel discussion with five local World War II veterans that was moderated by Dr. Frank Nickell, Director of the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University.

Local vets brought in artifacts to be displayed along with the photographs, and the local paper and radio station provided free publicity for the events.

The jazz concert by Mood Indigo was a success as well, attracting over 100 people, the largest audience they've had for any music performance. Mood Indigo also performed two workshops for Poplar Bluff students.

The Claudia Foundation was thrilled with their experience and feel that it helped them to attract a new audience and promote their mission to a segment of the community that was previously unaware of what they do.