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The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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New index shows most artsy cities in America

For the first time since being formed in 2012, SMU’s National Center for Arts Research released its Arts Vibrancy Index. The index, which is used to rank arts supply, demand, and government support in metropolitan areas, shows results for the top 20 large markets and for the top 20 medium and small markets.

Under the index’s guidelines, large markets have a population of 1 million or more, and medium and small markets have a population of less than 1 million.

Several of the top five large markets consist of areas known for art, but they were not necessarily ranked where people would expect them to be. The top five large markets, in order, are:

1. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

2. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin

3. New York-Jersey City-White Plains

4. Boston

5. San Francisco- Redwood City- South San Francisco

The top five medium and small markets, in order, are:

1. Glenwood Springs, CO

2. Santa Fe, NM

3. Jackson, WY

4. Breckenridge, CO

5. Edwards, CO

Although no specific region of the country dominated the large market rankings, the western portion of the country shows an advantage in the medium and small markets, with 12 of the 20 markets ranked being from that area.

It may come as a surprise that the Dallas-Fort Worth area was not in the top 20. However, after looking at the National Center for Arts Research’s (NCAR) Heat Map, which shows details about every U.S. county- it is understandable why DFW was not ranked.

Although the Metroplex ranks near the top in arts dollars and arts providers, grant activity from the state and federal levels is significantly lacking -specifically regarding state grant dollars- with Dallas County ranking in the middle, and Tarrant County ranking closer towards the bottom.

Meadows School of the Arts and Cox School of Business worked together to form the NCAR, which is the first of its kind in the country. The NCAR is led by Dr. Zannie Voss, chair and professor of arts management and arts entrepreneurship at Meadows and Cox, and Dr. Glenn Voss, Endowed Professor of Marketing at Cox.

For a look at the full rankings for each market, as well as to see a more in-depth analysis, head to the rankings website.

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