About
Awakening Downtown
Established in 2017 by Atlanta City Council legislation, Arts & Entertainment Atlanta (A&E Atlanta) is a neighborhood activation and economic development project for Downtown Atlanta. A&E Atlanta fuses new media, local art, and performance with advertising to fund cultural and public space programming in the city’s core.
Atlanta City Council adopted policy legislation that established the district’s goals, location and aesthetic guidelines. This policy guides the implementation and operations of the district’s sign permitting. A Sign Plan was adopted into the City of Atlanta Zoning Code Sign Ordinance in 2017 that describes the supplemental types and amount of signage allowed in the district. The district is limited to a total number of 25 sign locations.
Who Manages A&E Atlanta?
A&E Atlanta is managed by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) and self-funds its management and programming through revenue-sharing agreements with media companies within the district. An Advisory Council is in place, comprised of 14 individuals that represent the community, among them Downtown residents, business, entertainment, and arts + culture leaders.
Where is the District?
The district geography is in the core of the center city, bounded generally to the west by Northside Drive; to the north by Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard; to the east by Interstate 75/85 and Courtland Street; and to the south by Trinity Avenue.
A&E Atlanta, media companies, property owners...who does what?
A&E Atlanta provides the framework, governance, and oversight of the district and its activations at large. It is also responsible for stewarding the arts funding that is created through revenue sharing agreements with media companies.
Property owners located within the district and their qualified partner media companies, once they have successfully completed the application, permitting, fabrication, and implementation of signs, work together to program their sites with signage and art components.
Current Media Partners: Orange Barrel Media and BIG Outdoor
The art is integrated into the advertising in a number of potential ways, whether it be a permanent mural or a video piece. We're starting to get pieces now that are much more integrated, really part of the architecture, which is a big part of our thinking. - David Hamilton, Praxis3 Architecture, A&E Atlanta Advisory Committee member
So, where is the art?
All sign locations are required to have an art or cultural component. Art components currently include murals and featured local artwork on digital signs (like the examples pictured above).
In 2020, A&E Atlanta advanced efforts to support current local arts programming and commission new, innovative experiences. Many of the concepts identified were developed in collaboration with a focus group of local artists and incorporated the arts and culture strategic framework for the district.
In late 2019, A&E Atlanta supported the first PRISM: Winter Lights in Woodruff Park by adding PRISM promotional content to digital signs and commissioning complementary digital artwork created by ZooasZoo and Sebastian Monroy. PRISM returned to Woodruff Park on December 5, 2020 with a pilot art projection mapping exhibit on the International Peace Fountain wall presented by A&E Atlanta.
The arts programming also gives A&E Atlanta a unique opportunity for storytelling. A district initiative called “Local Stories” highlights historic and cultural stories unique to Atlanta on the digital signage. Additional programming includes an annual summer digital exhibition and a grant program.
Is Downtown trying to recreate Times Square?
We have a tremendous amount of respect for our peers at the Times Square Alliance, but A&E Atlanta does not intend to try and recreate the NYC landmark in Downtown. The goal is to elevate Atlanta art and artists in a way that reflects the authenticity of Atlanta. For a more comparable comparison, check out the Denver Theatre District.
Our goal is to learn from the Denver Theatre District, but also celebrate what makes Atlanta unique and bring that excitement to be celebrated in Downtown Atlanta. - Toni Williams, Cultivating Cultures, Former A&E Atlanta Advisory Committee Member
What's on the horizon?
More signs, more public art, and more arts and culture programming for Downtown Atlanta! Follow us on Instagram to stay in the know.
For questions and more information about Arts & Entertainment Atlanta, contact Jennifer Ball at jball@atlantadowntown.com.
Media inquiries should be directed to Nancy Zintak at nzintak@atlantadowntown.com.
Footnotes
Photos courtesy of Brock Scott for Living Walls, Justin Chan Photography, Orange Barrel Media, and The Wilbert Group.