ACVB forming new group to promote cultural tourism. (Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau)

The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau is forming a new nonprofit organization to promote the metro area's arts and cultural attractions.

The organization will provide funding and marketing support to help publicize the activities of arts and cultural groups such as the Center for Puppetry Arts, the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site and Zoo Atlanta. It will target its marketing toward both Atlantans and visitors.

According to W.B. Baldwin III, the ACVB's senior vice president of marketing, the new organization will be set up as a separate department under the auspices of the ACVB so sponsors can make tax-exempt donations; $3 million to $5 million is expected to be raised in its first year to …