ATLANTA (May 4, 2026) — CP Group today announced a new cultural partnership and lease agreement to bring “CTR Culture Studios” to The Center (CTR), introducing working artist studios, cultural programming, and public-facing creative experiences as part of its next phase of activation.

Through the agreement, CP Group will provide nearly 10,000 square feet of dedicated studio space within The CTR as part of a broader collaboration with ASHA Advisory (ASHA), Downtown Atlanta Inc., The Creatives Project (TCP), and Fulton County’s Public Art Futures Lab (PAFL).

“Our focus is creating a place where culture and everyday activity come together organically,” said Chris Eachus, Founding Partner at CP Group. “CTR Culture Studios is another aspect of that vision coming to life. By investing in artists, creative organizations, and cultural programming, we are building an environment that feels active, authentic, and uniquely Atlanta — a place where people want to spend time and where businesses want to be.”

Public-Private Partnerships Invest in Atlanta’s Creative Economy

CTR Culture Studios will be operated and programmed by TCP, with support from Downtown Atlanta, Inc., ASHA, and PAFL. Together, the partnership aligns space, funding, programming, and infrastructure to support artists while activating The CTR with ongoing cultural energy.

“CTR Culture Studios demonstrates what is possible when property owners and downtown leadership align around a shared cultural vision,” said Alex Frankcombe, Director of Art and Activation for Downtown Atlanta, Inc. “This is not just about supporting programming. It is about investing in creative infrastructure. By bringing space, technology, and meaningful support for artists together in one place, we’re building a stronger creative ecosystem in downtown and making sure art and culture stay at the heart of how we grow.”

The collaboration includes:

• ASHA Advisory: Cultural and curatorial lead guiding program vision, engagement, and strategic partnerships.
• CP Group: Owner and developer of The CTR, providing dedicated studio space, infrastructure, and long-term investment through a social-impact lease.
• Downtown Atlanta, Inc.: Funding artist stipends, marketing, and programming to extend the initiative’s reach throughout downtown.
• The Creatives Project: Program operator overseeing artist selection, studio management, and cultural programming.
• Fulton County’s Public Art Futures Lab: Providing digital media lab infrastructure and mentorship opportunities while establishing its new headquarters within the programming.

What Is CTR Culture Studios?

Once open, CTR Culture Studios will function as a hybrid incubator, studio workspace, and platform where creative professionals can produce work while engaging directly with the community. The space will support both individual artistic practice and collaborative, public–facing experiences.

The program provides:

• Affordable studio and office space, including seven dedicated studios
• Shared amenities, including a large, shared flex space, conference room, and collaborative office environment
• A gallery that doubles as a projection mapping lab between exhibitions and events
• A reservable event space for community panels, workshops, and conferences
• Access to digital media tools and mentorship
• Opportunities for exhibitions, performances, workshops, and screenings
• Public-facing programming integrated through The CTR and downtown Atlanta at large

Rather than a traditional gallery model, CTR Culture Studios brings artistic production into the building’s daily life, allowing visitors to experience culture as it is being created.

Opportunities for Atlanta’s Creative Community Now Underway

As part of its launch, CTR Culture Studios is now welcoming submissions from Atlanta-based artists, creators, and cultural collaborators interested in participating in the inaugural cohort.

The selection process will identify individuals and organizations whose work reflects Atlanta’s cultural landscape, honors the building’s legacy through storytelling, and engages directly with the public through open studios, programming, and community experiences.

Submissions will be accepted through June, with selected participants to be confirmed in July, and a first wave of artists and activations will roll out in August as The CTR continues to open to the city.

Atlanta-based artists and organizations interested in applying can learn more and submit materials at www.ashaadvisory.com/ctr-culture-grants.

“We’ve heard consistently from Atlanta’s creative community that what’s needed most is space to create and platforms to be seen,” said Neda Abghari, Founder of ASHA Advisory and curator of CTR Culture. “CTR Culture Studios is designed to deliver both and shift what’s possible for creators downtown, offering the resources to produce work while placing that work directly into the flow of public life in the district, where people can experience it and connect with it in real time at The CTR.”

Cultural Programming Grants at CTR Culture Studios

CTR Culture Studios will serve as a platform for cultural programming supported through strategic grant investments from CP Group, expanding access, visibility, and opportunity for Atlanta’s creative community.

As part of this effort, Atlanta-based contemporary dance company T. Lang Dance will be based at CTR Culture Studios. Through its work at The CTR, the company will:

• Activate public spaces with URSA MAJOR, an interdisciplinary platform blending performance, research, and digital storytelling.
• Expand youth arts education, growing participation from 25 to 75 students annually.
• Advance Switch Code, a fellowship focused on preserving under-recognized dance traditions through immersive technologies.

Complementing this, CTR Culture Studios will also be the home of ATL Arts Collective podcast, produced by longtime Atlanta radio leader Kim Drobes. Operating from an office within CTR Culture Studios, with recording taking place in a dedicated studio at The CTR, the podcast will have direct access to feature and amplify the creators, programming, and stories emerging from within the Studios.

This support arrives at a pivotal moment for both T. Lang Dance and the ATL Arts Collective as they work to grow their impact and secure permanent homes, ensuring long-term sustainability and continued access for the communities they serve.

Together, these initiatives contribute to a broader ecosystem at The CTR designed to uplift artists, amplify local voices, and create new pathways for cultural engagement across Atlanta.

Year-Round Free Public Programming at The CTR: Performances, Workshops, Film Screenings, and Community Events

CTR Culture Studios will anchor a year-round calendar of programming designed to activate The CTR throughout the day and across seasons, complementing additional programming and activations planned throughout the building, including the newly revitalized atrium.

Planned CTR Culture Studios-led programming includes:

• Performances and dance presentations
• Artist talks, workshops, and professional panels
• Film screenings and digital media showcases
• Cultural events and community gatherings

Many programs will be free and open to the public, reinforcing The CTR’s role as a welcoming cultural gathering place for Atlanta residents, workers, and visitors, with new programming and resident artists introduced on a rolling basis beginning this fall.

By combining creative production with ongoing programming, CTR Culture Studios transforms The CTR into a civic platform where culture is experienced, shared, and lived every day.