Cincy Recognized for Arts Vibrancy — What Does That Mean?

According to its official mission statement, “ArtsWave fuels a more vibrant regional economy and connected community through the arts.” What does it mean to have a vibrant region through the arts? What the heck is arts vibrancy, anyway?

SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, has an data-driven answer in its annually released Arts Vibrancy Index. It uses 13 unique metrics, analyzing per-capita supply, demand and public support for the arts across more than 900 communities in the United States, adjusted for cost of living and population differences. 

Consistently Measuring Up

How does SMU DataArts share that meticulously researched data? Through everyone’s favorite format: a ranked list! The 10th annual Arts Vibrancy Index was recently released, and that leads us to the big question: How does our community stack up among the 900 measured by the Arts Vibrancy Index? The answer may surprise you…if you’re new here.

The Cincinnati region is ranked among its top 5% of communities nationwide for Arts Vibrancy. No other region in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky can make the same claim. Our region is also recognized as one of only 22 communities that have appeared at least three times in the Arts Vibrancy Index over the past five years.

That consistent recognition reflects Cincy’s sustained commitment to collective action for the arts. That commitment leads to a broad, interconnected arts ecosystem, with creative activity year-round, from major moments like BLINK to everyday arts experiences at theaters, museums and community arts centers.

What it Means

To get back to the original question: What does that mean? It means that Cincy has a demonstrated history of integrating the arts as a fundamental aspect of community life. It means the arts are a driving force in major local initiatives. It means artists and arts organizations can find a stable home here, providing transformative experiences, and that those experiences remain accessible, with systemic barriers falling rather than rising. It means we as a region treat creativity as essential to quality of life in a thriving community.

ArtsWave helps keep the Cincinnati region vibrant by supporting more than 150 organizations, projects and artists each year. Give today to keep that effort going.
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.