The National Center for Arts Research, based at Southern Methodist University, released this month its fourth annual Arts Vibrancy Index, listing the top 40 most vibrant arts communities in America. Among a dozen factors considered were the number of nonprofits and cultural organizations per capita; and public support on a per capita basis. More than a quarter of the communities on the list are new to it this year, and four new states are represented: Florida, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota. Below are the lists for communities of different sizes.
Top 20 for Large Communities
1. San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, Calif.
2. New York-Jersey City-White Plains, N.Y.-N.J.
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.
4. Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, Tenn.
5. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.
6. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif.
7. Boston, Mass.
8. Silver Spring-Frederick-Rockville, Md.
9. Newark, N.J.-Pa.
10. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash.
11. Philadelphia, Penn.
12. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash.
13. Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, Mass.
14. New Orleans-Metairie, La.
15. Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, Calif.
16. Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Ill.
17. Rochester, N.Y.
18. Austin-Round Rock, N.Y.
19. Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio
20. Pittsburgh, Penn.Top 10 for Medium Communities
1. Santa Fe, N.M.
2. Pittsfield, Mass.
3. San Rafael, Calif.
4. Traverse City, Mich.
5. Asheville, N.C.
6. Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa
7. Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.
8. Rapid City, S.D.
9. Burlington-South Burlington, Vt.
10. Missoula, Mont.Top 10 for Small Communities
1. Edwards, Colo.
2. Jackson, Wyo.-Idaho
3. Summit Park, Utah
4. Hood River, Ore.
5. Durango, Colo.
6. Key West, Fla.
7. Bennington, Vt.
8. Oneonta, N.Y.
9. Juneau, Alaska
10. Fredericksburg, Texas
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