Red Bluff Fund — Red Bluff Music, Arts & Food Festival

Red Bluff Community & Unity Fund, an affiliate fund of Central Alabama Community Foundation 501(c)(3), unifies diverse communities across the River Region and contributes to elevating Montgomery, Alabama’s cultural landscape by providing uplifting opportunities and experiences for local musicians, artists and community members.

The history of "High Red Bluff" tells the broader story of America itself—its origins, its evolution, and its present-day complexity. In a time of deep division and widespread challenges, we come together to celebrate one another’s cultures as equals and to share stories of triumph, hope, and progress. By learning to appreciate the beauty of a neighborhood across town, we grow in our capacity to love, respect, and understand each other more deeply. When we engage with life through the music, art, and food of our neighbors, we experience more than words alone can offer. In the presence of such creativity, it becomes difficult to hold onto anger or hatred. When we see our community as a single, vibrant family, we are inspired to lift it up, celebrate it, and share its beauty with the world.

The Red Bluff Community & Unity Fund nurtures celebration and connection by creating inspiring opportunities and experiences for local artists and community members. We honor our history and strengthen our community by showcasing the most inspiring, positive, and culturally relevant artists—both local and global—who create art rooted in our shared cultural heritage and designed to uplift individuals and communities. Through gatherings and exhibitions that bring together diverse groups, we foster a spirit of hope and progress. By celebrating the unique culture of each neighborhood, we deepen our understanding of the community and help it reach its fullest potential.

The musical, visual, and culinary arts have the power to shape a place—either by uplifting it or holding it back. When executed with thoughtfulness and care, the arts become a transformative force for good. By bringing visionary artists into our community, we open up new perspectives that both our residents and local artists can learn from and grow with. When we support and fund local talent to follow in the footsteps of these esteemed visiting artists, we make a lasting investment in their ability to create art that builds and strengthens our community. As community members engage with these works and events, they are filled with renewed hope and a sense of wonder.

The Princess of Southern Soul, West Love with Red Bluff Fund founder Jud Blount.

Projects:

Red Bluff Music, Arts and Food Festival to celebrate, showcase, inspire and encourage our community
Regular local event programming throughout the year utilizing our local artists and providing Montgomery residents and visitors with stimulating cultural experiences
Scholarships and grants to local arts entrepreneurs to help fund their projects, education and work

Too often, higher ideals are overlooked, and the value of "the arts" is diminished. When decisions are driven by the lowest common denominator, we end up with uninspired or even harmful music, art, and cuisine—none of which nourish the soul, mind, or body. In the process, the rich middle ground of meaningful, quality art is left behind. When this trend becomes widespread, as it often does in modern culture, entire communities are negatively impacted, as we see happening across the country. The greatest social movements of our time have always been accompanied by a soundtrack and cultural expression that propel their progress. But when the entertainment and food industries are driven by profit at the expense of quality, social movements lose their strength and communities suffer from the corporate co-opting of culture. The soundtrack no longer fuels the movement; it suffocates it. The food no longer strengthens the people; it weakens them. Amid this division, we often find groups turning against one another, blaming neighbors instead of coming together as a community to heal and thrive.

That’s where we come in: By thoughtfully crafting and investing in experiences that inspire, uplift, and unite our community, we can create a tangible and lasting positive impact. When we invest in artists who are driven by the right intentions, we help nurture our community through their transformative work. The Red Bluff Community & Unity Fund has established systems that support authentic art, used for the greater good by all who encounter it. Rather than dividing groups, we encourage our neighbors to lift one another up and create experiences that facilitate this sense of connection. With a deep love for Montgomery and a lifelong passion for cultivating artistic excellence, we are dedicated to spreading as much love, respect, empathy, and positive energy as possible. As all of our ancestors smile down on “High Red Bluff” today, we are honored to share its story with the world—showing that a place once marked by strife and division can become one of joy and unity. Our city is a beautiful place, full of beautiful people, and we look forward to joining with you to celebrate this reality for many years to come. Thank you.