A stage for the city: Atlanta Culture House invites the world into its creative pulse

At a press conference last Wednesday, city leaders unveiled the Atlanta Culture House, a bold new hub for creativity and community set within the former CNN Center — now called The CTR. Backed by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the initiative is designed to spotlight Atlanta’s cultural excellence on a global stage as the city prepares to host the FIFA World Cup this summer.

Envisioned as both a platform for local artists and a catalyst for tourism and innovation, the Culture House reflects a broader strategy to weave arts and culture into Atlanta’s continued growth, ensuring that its impact reaches neighborhoods and small businesses alike. The announcement on April 15 was met with enthusiastic applause, underscoring widespread recognition of the leadership driving the effort forward.

Following Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ introduction, Adriane Jefferson, executive director of The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, formally introduced Angela Watts as executive producer of Atlanta Culture House, emphasizing the intentionality behind her selection: “She’s worked with the Office on Elevate, but we really thought it was fundamental and important to bring somebody in who was born and raised in Atlanta, who knows the fabric and the heartbeat of Atlanta and who understands the culture of Atlanta at its core.”

Jefferson outlined a series of key announcements that positioned the Atlanta Culture House as both a physical destination and a symbolic cornerstone for the city’s creative future, noting that the expansive space — more than 23,000 square feet — will house a dynamic range of programming, including a music lounge, a performing arts stage and an Amazon Lounge. 

Expanding on the role of corporate partnership within the initiative, Amazon’s head of community affairs, Terreta Rodgers, emphasized the importance of economic empowerment alongside cultural celebration. “Just as important as the culture we celebrate is the entrepreneurship we uplift. We’re proud the Atlanta Cultural House will feature several small, Georgia-based businesses selling on Amazon,” said Rodgers. Representing Amazon’s investment in the project, she also shared that the company will support the Culture House’s live programming through the Amazon Community Stage, which will serve as a dedicated platform for performances that reflect the heartbeat of Atlanta while creating meaningful opportunities for local entrepreneurs and creatives to showcase their work on a global stage.

In addition to its performance and gathering spaces, the Culture House will feature a robust lineup of curated artistic experiences. A fashion installation will be led by 741 Performance, founded by Jalen Brown, with gallery support provided through Buckhead Art & Company and Gallery Anderson Smith. The space will also include cultural archives presented by NuFace, alongside exhibition partnerships with ZuCot Gallery. Further underscoring the breadth and depth of the initiative, participation from esteemed institutions such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and The Atlanta Opera signals a diverse and multidisciplinary array of installations, performances and cultural activations that will define the Atlanta Culture House experience.

The space will serve as a centralized hub for creativity, collaboration and community, bringing together artists, performers and cultural leaders under one roof. Leadership from across the city, including members of the mayor’s office and City Council, were present to underscore the scale and significance of the initiative.

Officials emphasized that the timing of the Culture House is intentional, arriving just ahead of the global spotlight the FIFA World Cup will bring to Atlanta. “Today, this is our official announcement — we are inviting our local artists, performers and storytellers to come and connect with a global audience as Atlanta returns to the world stage,” said Dickens. With millions of eyes expected on the city, the Culture House is being positioned as a gateway for visitors to experience Atlanta beyond the games; through its art, neighborhoods, music, food and fashion. 

Lamar Stewart, interim executive director at Showcase Atlanta, further highlighted the broader economic and cultural impact of the initiative saying, “We will be providing our creators with an equitable opportunity to showcase their talents. These talents will represent many of the neighborhoods that we’re all from.” The Culture House is expected to play a vital role in strengthening Atlanta’s creative economy by fostering innovation, supporting local talent and driving tourism. By investing in cultural infrastructure, the city aims to ensure that the benefits of the World Cup extend far beyond the event itself — reaching neighborhoods, empowering small businesses and creating long-term opportunities for growth.

Dickens also framed the project as part of a larger commitment to equitable development, stressing the importance of ensuring that the World Cup “happens with Atlanta, not to Atlanta.” Chris Eachus, founding partner of CP Group, added that “the CTR’s role with Atlanta Culture House reflects a broader commitment, not only to activate culture on-site but to support Atlanta’s creative ecosystem through partnerships, sponsorships and collaboration with organizations like the Office of Cultural Affairs.” 

This vision centers on inclusivity and access, with the Culture House acting as a platform to amplify local voices while building a lasting cultural legacy. “Culture House is storytelling for all of us. It’s for those that are both behind the scenes and front-facing,” said Co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything Bem Joiner. As emphasized by leadership, the initiative reflects a deliberate effort to integrate arts and culture into Atlanta’s continued evolution as a global city.

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Brittany Mackins is an Atlanta-based writer and creative with a deep love for the intersections of art, healing and community. Blending her background in journalism, brand storytelling, creative writing and event production, she writes to honor the stories behind the art, the lived experiences, emotions and cultural roots that shape creative expression. Her lens centers diverse artistry in all its expansive forms.