On Wednesday evening, Oct. 15, the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham will release “Stoking Innovation in the Magic City: Birmingham’s Creative Industries.” The result of a lengthy study of arts, culture and design in Birmingham, the document will guide a strategic plan for making those elements an integral component of the overall economic development strategy for the community.
“Over the past few years, Birmingham has seen a lot of energy generated by and around creative work,” says Buddy Palmer, executive director of the Cultural Alliance. “We have so many cultural assets and talented people, whether they are pursuing their own endeavors or embedded in traditional corporate, educational and institutional settings. But we think that realizing the full potential of that will require an enhanced organizational structure.”
In addition to providing a “snapshot” of current assets and opportunities in arts, culture and design, the plan identifies key creative sectors and includes action recommendations that provide what Palmer calls “a jumping-off point” for building on Birmingham’s creative potential. It also calls for a name change that, according to Palmer, reflects a renewed and expanded mission for an organization that has seen its share of challenges since its inception in 2003.
“This marks a new approach,” Palmer says. “It moves our organization to a much bigger canvas and positions us to be more effective advocates for creative people and businesses that employ them. Our belief is that what we’re seeing in Birmingham right now is just the tip of the iceberg.”
The Cultural Alliance announcement will be made at the WorkPlay entertainment and event facility at 23rd Street and 5th Avenue South. Scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, the event will feature food and drink, musical and dance performances and other attractions.