The City Curator role was created in response to Colmore’s Future Business District Study, which explored how the city centre can thrive post-pandemic. At its core, the role exists to champion the heart of Birmingham – shaping places where people live, work, visit and belong.
The City Curator brings a creative, city‑wide vision acting as a cultural catalyst: curating events and festivals, shaping the public realm, and helping partners imagine what Birmingham’s vibrant, welcoming urban spaces can be.
This is the first position of its kind in Birmingham and is uniquely supported by all five City Centre BIDs, Birmingham City Council, and wider partners. The role is funded by Birmingham Colmore, with additional creative activation support through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Our inaugural City Curator is Alex Nicholson‑Evans – Founder & Director of Living For The Weekend, the organiser of Birmingham Cocktail Weekend and Birmingham Restaurant Festival. Alex brings deep experience in culture, placemaking and storytelling, including her time as Commercial Director at Birmingham Museums.
Beyond her day‑to‑day work, Alex is an active non‑executive director and awards judge and currently serves as a trustee for The Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust and the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust. Her career reflects a long-standing commitment to celebrating the city’s character, creativity and communities.
You can explore Alex’s current work and creative projects below, showcasing how she’s helping shape a more vibrant, welcoming and inspiring city centre.
With thanks to The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which funds a number of elements of the City Curator projects.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund website.
