Arts Vibrancy
Measuring and Celebrating Arts Vibrancy Across the United States
Since 2012, SMU DataArts has been analyzing what makes a community culturally vibrant—from the concentration of arts organizations and creative workers to public investment and audience participation.
Using 13 key indicators adjusted for cost of living and population, our Arts Vibrancy Index provides local leaders with data-driven insights to assess and strengthen their creative ecosystems. Each year, we publish a ranking of the top 40 most vibrant large, medium, and small communities, highlighting the places where arts and culture thrive. Read Our Methodology
The Most Arts-Vibrant Communities of 2025: County and State Rankings
Jackson, WY-ID, claims the title of #1 most arts-vibrant community in the nation, with particular strengths in federal arts grants and funding. Meanwhile, New York leads as the top-ranked state and boasts 9 communities in the top 100—more than any other state.
Notable Publications
Massachusetts Outperforms National Averages on Measures of Arts Vibrancy
SEPT 12, 2024
A new study examining data from 2019 through 2022, finds that Massachusetts stands out as a national leader in arts vibrancy, with every region—from the Berkshires to Cape Cod—consistently performing above the national average.
Arts Vibrancy in Rural Communities is Achieved through Collective Action
JUN 27, 2024
SMU DataArts is delighted to feature a special article by Geoffrey Kershner, CEO at the Academy Center of the Arts and founder of Small Town Big Arts, who shares his expert insights on arts vibrancy in rural America.
Arts Flourish in America's Top Rural Counties: A Data-Driven Exploration
JUN 27, 2024
As part of our ongoing series on data-driven insights into arts vibrancy, we highlight the most arts-vibrant rural counties across the country, scoring within the top 5 percent, according to the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index.
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI Debuts on List of Top 40 Most Arts-Vibrant Communities
FEB 13, 2024
Milwaukee’s arts organizations are critical to the both the cultural lives of residents and the local creative economy. The city ranked 19th in total expenses and 19th in program revenue in the 2023 Arts Vibrancy Index.
Salt Lake City, Utah Debuts on List of Top 40 Most Arts-Vibrant Communities
OCT 24, 2023
According to the 2022 Arts Vibrancy Index published by SMU DataArts, Salt Lake City scores in the top 3% of communities nationwide for its number of arts, culture, and entertainment firms per capita.
Cambridge, MA Scores in the Top Two Percent on Measures of Economic Activity
SEPT 05, 2023
Cambridge-Newton-Framingham metro division scores in the top two percent of communities nationwide in overall Arts Dollars, with particular strength in compensation paid to arts and cultural employees.
Bao-Long Chu
Program Director – Arts and Parks, Houston Endowment
“The Arts Vibrancy Index has provided a data-driven framework for our ongoing exploration of what the arts need to thrive in our region. The data, along with the wisdom of our grantees and local partners, has been a key part of building a strategy to support a vibrancy community through arts and culture.”