12/29/2022
Ithaca, New York, has been listed in the top 40 most arts-vibrant communities in the United States and ranks in the top 10 most arts-vibrant medium-size communities, according to the SMU Data Arts’ Arts Vibrancy Index Report.
The Arts Vibrancy Index Report celebrates arts-vibrant communities across the United States even as they grapple with the ongoing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report examines the level of supply, demand, and government support of the arts in more than 900 communities across the country.
Of particular note, Ithaca was ranked 1st in the nation in Government Support, and is within the top 1% on sub-measures related to state art dollars, federal arts dollars, and federal art grants per capita.
“The recognition of the Ithaca area as a top arts-vibrant community underscores the importance of the arts to our region, both in terms of quality of life and as an economic engine,” says Megan Barber, Executive Director of the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County. Adds Barber, “It’s wonderful to receive this recognition, and yet our local arts sector, particularly the performing arts, is in crisis right now as audiences have still not come back in sufficient numbers. To keep the Ithaca area arts-vibrant, I encourage everyone to support our local arts organizations.”
The Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County (CAP) provides grants, services, and programs to artists and audiences. CAP connects artists and audiences through the Greater Ithaca Art Trail, Ithaca Artist Market, Spring Writes Literary Festival, and the CAP ArtSpace Gallery. CAP provides grants, a professional development workshop series, and other resources for artists. For more information on the Community Arts Partnership and its programs and services, visit www.artspartner.org.
