Oregon in top 10 of America’s most arts-vibrant communities for third consecutive year
(Update: Video Added)
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon has secured its spot as a national cultural staple, coming in at number 10 in the 10th annual Arts Vibrancy Index. The index is a study stemming from Meadows School of the Arts and at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
This is the third year in a row that Oregon has been recognized in the top 10 of the SMU DataArts Arts Vibrancy Index; it analyzes more than 900 areas across the nation and lists the top 100 communities.
See the full release below from the Oregon Arts Commission:
Oregon has once again secured its place as a national cultural powerhouse, ranking No. 10 in the 10th annual SMU DataArts Arts Vibrancy Index. This marks the third consecutive year Oregon has appeared in the top 10, underscoring a sustained commitment to the arts and culture that spans from our bustling metro centers to our historic rural hubs.
From the world-class stage of the Oregon Symphony in Portland and the Hult Center in Eugene to the murals and bronze trails of Pendleton and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, our vibrancy comes from a unique blend of urban innovation and deep-rooted rural traditions statewide.
“Oregon’s creative landscape has long drawn people to live, work and create here,” said Amy Lewin, director of the Oregon Arts Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust. “This recognition belongs to Oregonians who fuel this vibrancy, leveraging resources and innovation to strengthen arts and culture in every corner of the state. Their creativity shapes the roadmap for a thriving future.”
While the index traditionally looks at data-driven metrics like supply, demand and public investment, for Oregonians, this ranking reflects a lived reality: a state where creativity is woven into the landscape. Oregonians don't just consume art and culture; they live it.
To mark its 10th anniversary, SMU DataArts expanded its list to 100 communities, analyzing more than 900 areas nationwide. The index measures 13 unique factors, including the number of independent artists, total nonprofit arts and culture dollars and government support.
“Oregon’s ranking is a testament to the fact that arts vibrancy isn't accidental,” said Dr. Jennifer Benoit-Bryan, executive director of SMU DataArts. “It is built through long-term commitment to funding, public investment in infrastructure, and a culture that values creativity as essential to quality of life.”
For more information on the Arts Vibrancy Index and to explore the data for specific Oregon communities, please visit https://culturaldata.org/arts-vibrancy-2025.
