Alabama: DesignAlabama

DesignAlabama (DA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the importance of the design arts, is one of Alabama’s statewide arts service organizations that benefits from a partnership with and operating support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA). Over the years, ASCA has helped DA develop initiatives that spotlight how designers shape our communities and drive local economies. Initiatives include small-town design charrettes, a monthly e-newsletter, an on-line journal, and other web tools such as tutorials, case studies, an events calendar and links to other resources. ASCA also worked with DA to establish the annual Mayors Design Summit, which, since 2006, has convened designers and 50 mayors from large and small communities to address design challenges and strategies for overcoming them. Founded in 1987 as an ASCA initiative, DA continues to participate in ASCA’s regular staff meetings, annual council leadership institutes and long-range planning sessions. For more information, contact ASCA Executive Director Al Head.