Jackson, WY ranks #1 overall while San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA maintains its position as top-ranked large community; both among the 17 communities celebrating 10 years of arts vibrancy recognition. 

Dallas (SMU), January 8, 2026 – SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, today released its 10th annual Arts Vibrancy Index, expanding this year’s list to include the top 100 most arts-vibrant communities in the United States. The milestone edition recognizes arts-vibrant communities of all sizes based on a data-driven analysis of supply, demand, and government support for the arts in more than 900 communities nationwide.  

The Index reflects fluctuations in arts activity, participation, funding, access and employment that occur in each community. Yet, year after year, the Arts Vibrancy Index demonstrates that highly arts-vibrant communities are dispersed broadly throughout the U.S., with every region of the country represented in the top rankings.  

“The Arts Vibrancy Index has shone a light on the people, organizations, and investments that make local culture vibrant for the last 10 years,” stated Dr. Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, Executive Director of SMU DataArts. “By expanding our list to one hundred geographically diverse communities, we celebrate the top 10 percent of arts-vibrant communities nationwide. Through all the ups and downs of the last decade, communities have continued to celebrate and invest in their local arts, and the index has provided data-backed insights to inform planning, advocacy, and well-deserved recognition. We look forward to building on this history as this resource evolves with the sector going forward.”   

In addition to identifying the top arts-vibrant communities, the research center has analyzed and ranked all 50 states. Findings from the state-level analysis shows with New York as the reigning #1 titleholder for the third consecutive year. To delve into the details and visualize community and state index data in depth, visit the data explorer.