The 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index from SMU DataArts Compiles List of 40 Most Vibrant Arts Communities Across the U.S., Based on Measures of Per Capita Supply, Demand and Government Support for the Arts
Frederick, MD, December 13, 2024 – SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, released its annual ranking of the 40 most arts-vibrant communities in the United States, organized into three separate lists based on community size, which identifies Frederick-Gaithersburg-Rockville as number 9 in the list of 20 Large communities in the United States. The list is based on their 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index, which is developed through a data-driven approach that analyzes the level of supply, demand, and government support for the arts using data available in more than 900 communities across the country. Frederick, along with its neighbors Rockville and Gaithersburg has consistently appeared on the Arts Vibrancy Index since the launch of the rankings in 2015. This year, the Frederick-Gaithersburg-Rockville area is ranked ninth on the annual list of the 20 most arts-vibrant large communities in the nation.
“We are thrilled to have Frederick in the top ten most arts-vibrant communities in the US again this year,” said Louise Kennelly, Executive Director of the Frederick Arts Council.
The Index reflects fluctuations in arts activity, participation, funding, access and employment that occurs in each community; however the Arts Vibrancy Index has consistently shown that highly arts-vibrant communities are dispersed broadly throughout the U.S., with every region of the country represented in the top rankings. This finding arises naturally out of objective analysis of the data, not from any selection of communities to achieve geographic representation. From Ohio to Colorado, New York to Alaska, arts vibrant communities recognize regional artistic diversity and community success.
Highlights from the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Community Rankings:
• Four new communities made it into the Top Arts-Vibrant communities lists this year.
o Syracuse, NY joined the list of medium communities
o Auburn, NY; Branson, MO; Taos, NM joined the list of small communities
• Wilmington, DE returned to the list for the first time since 2020. After being absent from the list last year Newark, NJ-PA and Vineyard Haven, MA returned to the list.
• Seventeen communities have made the list every year since 2015, although many of their rankings have shifted over time.
o San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA remains in the top position on the list of large communities.
o Boston, MA ranked in the third spot on the list of large communities, its highest position ever.
o Santa Fe, NM ranked first among medium communities.
o Jackson, WY ranked first among small communities for the fifth year in a row.
“In the face of rising costs, shifting funding sources and long-standing inequities in access, funding and employment, arts communities have continued to demonstrate their resilience and the undeniable richness they bring to towns and cities across the country,” stated Dr. Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, Director of SMU DataArts. “The Arts Vibrancy Index helps the arts community – leaders, businesses, governments, funders – better understand the dynamics of arts activities that occur in local areas. Over the years, it’s been rewarding to see the diverse ways the reports have been used: from funders who use data to analyze how their investments can increase arts vibrancy in the communities they serve to arts leaders who use the reports and interactive maps in their decision-making for relocating their operations or determining markets for touring shows. The Index has been indispensable in shining light on the arts in communities all across the country.”
The Lists
In addition to the top arts-vibrant communities listed in the rankings, all 50 states are compiled in a separate ranking, where New York remains in the top position for 2024. Arts-vibrancy scores for every county in the United States can be viewed on an interactive map that identifies arts and cultural strengths that are present in every community.
Large Communities (population: 1 million +)
On the list of the most arts-vibrant communities with populations of 1 million or more: Boston, MA ranked in the third spot on the list of large communities, its highest position ever; Rochester, NY returns to the Top 20 list following an absence since 2018; and Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI rose to the 14th spot on the list of large communities after their 2023 debut at 18th position.
1. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA
2. New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ
3. Boston, MA
4. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
5. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
6. Philadelphia, PA
7. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
8. Newark, NJ-PA
9. Frederick-Gaithersburg-Rockville, MD
10. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
11. Chicago-Naperville-Evanston, IL
12. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA
13. Seattle-Bellevue-Kent, WA
14. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
15. Rochester, NY
16. New Orleans-Metairie, LA
17. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
18. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
19. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
20. Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, MA
Medium Communities (population: 100,000 – 1 million)
Medium communities are home to populations ranging from 100,000 to 1 million people. Syracuse, NY is new to this list, while Wilmington, DE returned to the list for the first time since 2020.
1. Santa Fe, NM
2. Ithaca, NY
3. San Rafael, CA
4. Pittsfield, MA
5. Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
6. Boulder, CO
7. Missoula, MT
8. Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ
9. Syracuse, NY
10. Ann Arbor, MI
Small Communities (population <100,000)
Small communities are defined as areas with populations under 100,000. Auburn, NY; Branson, MO; Taos, NM joined the list of small communities while Jackson, WY-ID ranked first among small communities for the fifth year in a row.
1. Jackson, WY-ID
2. Steamboat Springs, CO
3. Juneau, AK
4. Vineyard Haven, MA
5. Branson, MO
6. Brevard, NC
7. Taos, NM
8. Glenwood Springs, CO
9. Hailey, ID
10. Auburn, NY
The Arts Vibrancy Index is composed of 13 unique measures which cover aspects of supply, demand, and public support for arts and culture, and are adjusted for cost of living and population differences among communities. For more information on how the Arts Vibrancy Index is calculated, metrics, data sources, more detail on specific communities and the interactive map, please visit [www.culturaldata.org/what-we-do/arts-vibrancy-index]
ABOUT THE FREDERICK ARTS COUNCIL
The Frederick Arts Council invests in a vibrant and cohesive arts community for the people of Frederick County. The organization fosters an environment where the arts flourish in the community through grants and scholarships, arts advocacy, and links to essential resources. FAC is responsible for large-scale programming such as the Frederick Festival of the Arts, Sky Stage, Frederick Public Art Initiative, FAC Artist Studios, Art in the Park, and Arts in Education grants. For more information about the Frederick Arts Council, visit www.frederickartscouncil.org
ABOUT SMU DATAARTS
SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, is a project of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. The mission of SMU DataArts is to provide the evidence-based insights needed to collectively build strong, vibrant, and equitable arts communities. Its research efforts range from academic papers published in leading journals, applied research undertaken with community partners, and actionable insights shared directly with arts practitioners. Its programs provide business intelligence tools and resources to help arts leaders leverage data to answer critical management questions and connect research analyses to their own work. Recent publications include research reports on the scope of federal COVID-19 relief funding for the arts; national operating trends for arts and cultural organizations the alchemy that drives high performing arts organizations of color; audience diversity, equity and inclusion in large performing arts organizations; impact of investments made in diverse creative communities; and more.
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