Art Class
Consistently Recognized Arts-Vibrant Communities
These 22 communities have appeared at least three times in the Arts Vibrancy Index since 2020, evidence of sustained arts vibrancy in the post-COVID era.
Ann Arbor, MI
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TX
Bennington, VT
Bozeman, MT
Boulder, CO
Brevard, NC
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Cleveland, OH
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO
Hailey, ID
Hudson, NY
Ithaca, NY
Juneau, AK
Kalamazoo–Portage, MI
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WI
Missoula, MT
Newark, NJ
Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro, OR-WA
Rifle, CO*
Steamboat Springs, CO
Vineyard Haven, MA
Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ
*Rifle, CO was previously listed in the index as Glenwood Springs, CO. The name reflects updated Census Bureau Core Based Statistical Area definitions.
What are you doing this weekend? Chances are good you’re going to a concert, seeing a play, or wandering through an art museum. Without too much effort, you could do all three!
SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, recently released its 10th annual ranking of the most arts-vibrant communities in the United States, placing the Cincinnati region in the top 5 percent of communities nationwide in the 2025 Arts Vibrancy Index.
“Being recognized again speaks to the strength and consistency of our arts ecosystem,” said Alecia Kintner, president and CEO of ArtsWave. “This sustained recognition reflects a long-standing, shared commitment to collective action for the arts from individual donors and artists to organizations, civic and business partners. The data reinforces the role the arts play as a public good that strengthens our entire region.”
Beyond its placement in this year’s rankings, the Cincinnati region is also recognized as one of a small number of communities frequently included in the Arts Vibrancy Index over the past five years, demonstrating sustained arts vibrancy in the post-COVID era. The rankings are based on SMU DataArts’ Arts Vibrancy Index (AVI), which uses a data-driven approach to analyze per-capita supply, demand and public support for the arts across more than 900 communities nationwide.
The Cincinnati region’s sustained presence in the index reflects a broad and interconnected arts ecosystem, with creative activity happening year-round across neighborhoods, public spaces and institutions. From major regional moments like BLINK, to everyday arts experiences, this depth and consistency contribute to a more connected community and vibrant economy.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the Arts Vibrancy Index, SMU DataArts expanded the list to 100 communities, up from 40 in previous years. In addition to identifying arts-vibrant communities, the research center has also expanded its analysis to provide deeper insight into long-term trends shaping the arts and culture sector. For details and to visualize community and state index data in depth, visit the data explorer.
“The Arts Vibrancy Index has shone a light on the people, organizations and investments that make local culture vibrant for the last 10 years,” said Dr. Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, executive director of SMU DataArts. “By expanding our list to one hundred 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 invest in their local arts, and the index has provided data-backed insights to inform planning, advocacy and well-deserved recognition.”
The Arts Vibrancy Index is composed of 13 measures covering aspects of arts supply, demand and public support, adjusted for cost of living and population differences. Communities are measured using Core Based Statistical Areas, which capture the economic and cultural reach of a region and its surrounding areas. For more information on how the Arts Vibrancy Index is calculated, including metrics, data sources and the data explorer, visit culturaldata.org/arts-vibrancy-2025.