Create Birmingham
Create Birmingham (formerly the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham (CAGB) is a cultural advocacy organization. It's executive director is Buddy Palmer, and its offices are located in the Pythian Temple building at 310 18th Street North.
The Cultural Alliance was founded in 2003 from a recommendation in Birmingham's Cultural Master Plan. The group functions as an advocate and planning organization for cultural activities. It also oversees grant funding for a variety of arts organizations, educational programs, and events.
Until the Jefferson County debt crisis effectively erased financial support from Jefferson County, the Cultural Alliance was engaged in managing county funding for the arts.
The group lost its space in the Center for Regional Planning and Design in 2013 and moved temporarily to storefront space at 1806 3rd Avenue North in the Lyric Building before moving into the Pythian Temple.
In October 2014 the organization adopted its current name and announced a refocusing of efforts toward supporting economic development projects to benefit the "creative economy" or working artists, designers, filmmakers, and chefs, and to better connect that sector with other businesses.
References
- Huebner, Michael (January 29, 2013) "Cultural Alliance outlines three-year 'Creative Birmingham' initiative." The Birmingham News
- Huebner, Michael (October 25, 2013) "Cultural Alliance moving to prime arts location, but may have to pick up stakes again." The Birmingham News
- Huebner, Michael (October 16, 2014) "A new name, bold mission for Create Birmingham, formerly known as the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham." The Birmingham News