MISSOULA, Mont. – Missoula has been recognized as one of the most art-vibrant communities in the United States. According to the National Arts Research Center, SMU DataArts, Missoula ranks as the seventh most art-vibrant medium-sized community in the country.
The ranking is based on an Art Vibrancy Index, which measures community support for arts and culture, as well as the supply and demand for art. Missoula stands out for its strong support, ranking in the top 1% for state grants and the top 2% for federal grants that support art projects.
Heather Adams, Executive Director of Arts Missoula, highlighted the community’s robust support system. “We have a really strong state arts council. That’s the Montana Arts Council. There’s a lot of local family foundations, and state foundations that pour a lot of money into Missoula,” she said.
This is the third time Missoula has made it into the top ten for medium-sized communities. The consistent recognition is evident throughout the city with more murals and artwork created by local artists.
Adams emphasized the importance of art in the community. “Art makes place and people want to go to places that are interesting. They want to be able to walk around in any part of the city and see who lives here and we get that through the arts,” she stated.
Arts Missoula continues to plan future events and programs that support artists, whose work attracts visitors and boosts the local economy. “Missoula, I hope can be a beacon to the rest of the communities in the state to show how our economy can thrive while artists are supported,” Adams added.
For the full ranking of the Arts Vibrancy Index, please go to the SMU DataArts website.
View article on Montana Right Now.
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