SMU DataArts
@smudataarts.bsky.social
The National Center for Arts Research
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JUST RELEASED: Jackson, WY-ID, claims the title of the nation's #1 most arts-vibrant community of 2025; New York leads as the top-ranked state according to SMU DataArts' 10th edition of the Arts Vibrancy Index.
View the rankings and learn about how arts vibrancy is measured 🔗 smu.edu/artsvibrancy
View the rankings and learn about how arts vibrancy is measured 🔗 smu.edu/artsvibrancy
For the third consecutive year, New York maintains its #1 position as the most arts-vibrant state in the nation, while Connecticut's rise to #3 demonstrates how dynamic a state's creative ecosystem can be.
See where your state ranks on overall arts vibrancy 🔗
#AVI2025 #ArtsVibrancy #ArtsResearch
See where your state ranks on overall arts vibrancy 🔗
#AVI2025 #ArtsVibrancy #ArtsResearch
Arts Vibrancy Index 2025: State Rankings. DataArts
For the third consecutive year, New York maintains its #1 position as the most arts-vibrant state in the nation according to SMU DataArts' Arts Vibrancy Index 2025.
culturaldata.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:19 PM
For the third consecutive year, New York maintains its #1 position as the most arts-vibrant state in the nation, while Connecticut's rise to #3 demonstrates how dynamic a state's creative ecosystem can be.
See where your state ranks on overall arts vibrancy 🔗
#AVI2025 #ArtsVibrancy #ArtsResearch
See where your state ranks on overall arts vibrancy 🔗
#AVI2025 #ArtsVibrancy #ArtsResearch
Our most comprehensive Arts Vibrancy Index to date reveals the top 100 most arts-vibrant communities of 2025 presented in a unified list regardless of size, reflecting the reality that vibrant arts and culture flourish everywhere. #AVI2025 #artsvibrancy #artsresearch culturaldata.org/arts-vibranc...
Top 100 Arts-Vibrant Communities of 2025. DataArts
Jackson, WY-ID claims title of #1 most arts-vibrant community of 2025, calculated by measures of supply, demand, and public support, and adjust for cost of living and population size.
culturaldata.org
January 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Our most comprehensive Arts Vibrancy Index to date reveals the top 100 most arts-vibrant communities of 2025 presented in a unified list regardless of size, reflecting the reality that vibrant arts and culture flourish everywhere. #AVI2025 #artsvibrancy #artsresearch culturaldata.org/arts-vibranc...
JUST RELEASED: Jackson, WY-ID, claims the title of the nation's #1 most arts-vibrant community of 2025; New York leads as the top-ranked state according to SMU DataArts' 10th edition of the Arts Vibrancy Index.
View the rankings and learn about how arts vibrancy is measured 🔗 smu.edu/artsvibrancy
View the rankings and learn about how arts vibrancy is measured 🔗 smu.edu/artsvibrancy
January 8, 2026 at 4:30 PM
JUST RELEASED: Jackson, WY-ID, claims the title of the nation's #1 most arts-vibrant community of 2025; New York leads as the top-ranked state according to SMU DataArts' 10th edition of the Arts Vibrancy Index.
View the rankings and learn about how arts vibrancy is measured 🔗 smu.edu/artsvibrancy
View the rankings and learn about how arts vibrancy is measured 🔗 smu.edu/artsvibrancy
Our research continues to illustrate both the resilience and vulnerability of nonprofit arts and culture. This year, five key takeaways emerged that capture the sector in a state of adaptation and evolution. Read the full article 🔗 buff.ly/RrYt8mx
#research #artsandculture #SMU
#research #artsandculture #SMU
Five Key Takeaways from Our 2025 Research. DataArts
From the measurable impact of cultural resources on community well-being to the financial realities facing organizations of all sizes, these five findings capture a sector navigating transition and…
buff.ly
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Our research continues to illustrate both the resilience and vulnerability of nonprofit arts and culture. This year, five key takeaways emerged that capture the sector in a state of adaptation and evolution. Read the full article 🔗 buff.ly/RrYt8mx
#research #artsandculture #SMU
#research #artsandculture #SMU
Andy Draper from SMU Meadows School of the Arts interviews Jen Benoit-Bryan to discuss what SMU DataArts does, the kind of research we conduct, how that research is applied to arts communities, and several mentions in the New York Times.
🔗 buff.ly/eRUDWc9
#MeadowsOnTheMic #SMUDataArts #SMUMeadows
🔗 buff.ly/eRUDWc9
#MeadowsOnTheMic #SMUDataArts #SMUMeadows
December 16, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Andy Draper from SMU Meadows School of the Arts interviews Jen Benoit-Bryan to discuss what SMU DataArts does, the kind of research we conduct, how that research is applied to arts communities, and several mentions in the New York Times.
🔗 buff.ly/eRUDWc9
#MeadowsOnTheMic #SMUDataArts #SMUMeadows
🔗 buff.ly/eRUDWc9
#MeadowsOnTheMic #SMUDataArts #SMUMeadows
New analysis: Revenue trends diverged sharply by organization size from 2019-2024. Small orgs grew 28%, large orgs declined 22% (inflation-adjusted). See how size shapes financial trajectories 🔗 buff.ly/G4vBf3T
Deep Revenue Losses Concentrate Among Large Organizations. DataArts
While national averages show declining revenue across the arts sector in 2024, a deeper analysis reveals striking differences across budget sizes—offering arts leaders and funders the nuanced context…
buff.ly
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
New analysis: Revenue trends diverged sharply by organization size from 2019-2024. Small orgs grew 28%, large orgs declined 22% (inflation-adjusted). See how size shapes financial trajectories 🔗 buff.ly/G4vBf3T
The article from @nytimes.com also references findings from our National Trends 2025 #report, which documented similar challenges across the broader #arts sector—including #theaters, orchestras, and #dance companies—revealing a sector-wide impact that extends well beyond museums alone.
Read more 🔗
Read more 🔗
Trump Cuts and Orders Have Broad Impact on American Museums, Report Finds
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The article from @nytimes.com also references findings from our National Trends 2025 #report, which documented similar challenges across the broader #arts sector—including #theaters, orchestras, and #dance companies—revealing a sector-wide impact that extends well beyond museums alone.
Read more 🔗
Read more 🔗
Reposted by SMU DataArts
At a recent SMU DataArts lecture, Bao-Long Chu shared how Houston Endowment is shifting its approach to arts funding: building on data, drawing from lessons in parks, and emphasizing civic participation.
#ArtsFunding #HoustonCulture
@smudataarts.bsky.social
#ArtsFunding #HoustonCulture
@smudataarts.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
At a recent SMU DataArts lecture, Bao-Long Chu shared how Houston Endowment is shifting its approach to arts funding: building on data, drawing from lessons in parks, and emphasizing civic participation.
#ArtsFunding #HoustonCulture
@smudataarts.bsky.social
#ArtsFunding #HoustonCulture
@smudataarts.bsky.social
78% of museum workers have never received a full promotion, and 28% of full-time workers report earning less than a livable wage according to this year's Museums Moving Forward report. A must-read for anyone committed to workplace equity in the arts 🔗 museumsmovingforward.com
#museumsmovingforward
#museumsmovingforward
Home – Museums Moving Forward
MMF's 2025 Report on Workplace Equity and Organizational Culture in US Art Museums is out now!
museumsmovingforward.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
78% of museum workers have never received a full promotion, and 28% of full-time workers report earning less than a livable wage according to this year's Museums Moving Forward report. A must-read for anyone committed to workplace equity in the arts 🔗 museumsmovingforward.com
#museumsmovingforward
#museumsmovingforward
Federal labor data misses thousands of working artists—especially those juggling gigs, caregiving, and making far less than current statistics suggest. This breakdown of a major NY artist survey shows who's invisible in official statistics (and why that matters). #artsresearch
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Counting the Uncounted: Artists Living on the Margins of Federal Statistics. DataArts
Artists are everywhere yet somehow invisible in data. Former SMU DataArts Research Fellow, Doug Noonan shares insights into the shortfallings of established data collection systems and how a new…
culturaldata.org
October 24, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Federal labor data misses thousands of working artists—especially those juggling gigs, caregiving, and making far less than current statistics suggest. This breakdown of a major NY artist survey shows who's invisible in official statistics (and why that matters). #artsresearch
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Welcome Michael DeWhatley, PhD, our newest Postdoctoral Fellow in Gender Studies in the Arts! In this role, Michael will help integrate gender-focused inquiry into our research and drive new insights at the intersection of arts, equity, and data.
Read more about Michael 🔗 buff.ly/dgy2kjk
Read more about Michael 🔗 buff.ly/dgy2kjk
October 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Welcome Michael DeWhatley, PhD, our newest Postdoctoral Fellow in Gender Studies in the Arts! In this role, Michael will help integrate gender-focused inquiry into our research and drive new insights at the intersection of arts, equity, and data.
Read more about Michael 🔗 buff.ly/dgy2kjk
Read more about Michael 🔗 buff.ly/dgy2kjk
Along with insights from SMU DataArts director, Jen Benoit-Bryan, Inside Philanthropy explores how arts funders can adjust practices when the "normal" funding landscape has not yet returned.
Read the full story 🔗 buff.ly/RHulYEP
#philanthropy #artsfunding #artsresearch
Read the full story 🔗 buff.ly/RHulYEP
#philanthropy #artsfunding #artsresearch
Arts Funders Want Things to Go Back to Normal. Here’s What They Can Do Until Then
Inflexible grantmaking practices are hampering arts groups’ efforts to navigate this fraught moment. Experts have some ideas about how to turn the tide.
buff.ly
September 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Along with insights from SMU DataArts director, Jen Benoit-Bryan, Inside Philanthropy explores how arts funders can adjust practices when the "normal" funding landscape has not yet returned.
Read the full story 🔗 buff.ly/RHulYEP
#philanthropy #artsfunding #artsresearch
Read the full story 🔗 buff.ly/RHulYEP
#philanthropy #artsfunding #artsresearch
Joy, healing, and empowerment are among the several benefits that cultural organizations in #Queens, #NY provide, but geographic isolation, infrastructure gaps, and limited resources are preventing these vital organizations from reaching their full impact.
Read the full report 🔗 buff.ly/2ZI2pkG
Read the full report 🔗 buff.ly/2ZI2pkG
September 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Joy, healing, and empowerment are among the several benefits that cultural organizations in #Queens, #NY provide, but geographic isolation, infrastructure gaps, and limited resources are preventing these vital organizations from reaching their full impact.
Read the full report 🔗 buff.ly/2ZI2pkG
Read the full report 🔗 buff.ly/2ZI2pkG
The financial cushion created by relief funding continues to shrink for nonprofit cultural organizations.
Working capital fell to the equivalent of 4.2 months of expenses in 2024, with 42% of organizations having three months or less in savings.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/sFExG4z
Working capital fell to the equivalent of 4.2 months of expenses in 2024, with 42% of organizations having three months or less in savings.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/sFExG4z
September 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
The financial cushion created by relief funding continues to shrink for nonprofit cultural organizations.
Working capital fell to the equivalent of 4.2 months of expenses in 2024, with 42% of organizations having three months or less in savings.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/sFExG4z
Working capital fell to the equivalent of 4.2 months of expenses in 2024, with 42% of organizations having three months or less in savings.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/sFExG4z
The arts sector may be recalibrating how it connects with audiences.
Our latest National Trends 2025 report shows how revenue declines and staffing changes are reshaping programming—with surprising results for community engagement.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
Our latest National Trends 2025 report shows how revenue declines and staffing changes are reshaping programming—with surprising results for community engagement.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
September 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The arts sector may be recalibrating how it connects with audiences.
Our latest National Trends 2025 report shows how revenue declines and staffing changes are reshaping programming—with surprising results for community engagement.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
Our latest National Trends 2025 report shows how revenue declines and staffing changes are reshaping programming—with surprising results for community engagement.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
What do you prioritize when forced to cut your expense budget?
In 2024, the average organization cut personnel budgets by 23%, yet data shows leaders made clear choices about prioritizing artistic talent.
Read the analysis 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
#nationaltrends2025 #artsresearch #artsandculture #smu
In 2024, the average organization cut personnel budgets by 23%, yet data shows leaders made clear choices about prioritizing artistic talent.
Read the analysis 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
#nationaltrends2025 #artsresearch #artsandculture #smu
September 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
What do you prioritize when forced to cut your expense budget?
In 2024, the average organization cut personnel budgets by 23%, yet data shows leaders made clear choices about prioritizing artistic talent.
Read the analysis 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
#nationaltrends2025 #artsresearch #artsandculture #smu
In 2024, the average organization cut personnel budgets by 23%, yet data shows leaders made clear choices about prioritizing artistic talent.
Read the analysis 🔗 buff.ly/exZs7yx
#nationaltrends2025 #artsresearch #artsandculture #smu
Arts funding is back to pre-pandemic patterns: 40% earned revenue, 59% contributed. Suggesting funding portfolios are rebalancing after years of disruption.
But here's the catch: every contributed source—individual donations, foundation grants, gov funding—fell below 2019 levels. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
But here's the catch: every contributed source—individual donations, foundation grants, gov funding—fell below 2019 levels. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
August 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Arts funding is back to pre-pandemic patterns: 40% earned revenue, 59% contributed. Suggesting funding portfolios are rebalancing after years of disruption.
But here's the catch: every contributed source—individual donations, foundation grants, gov funding—fell below 2019 levels. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
But here's the catch: every contributed source—individual donations, foundation grants, gov funding—fell below 2019 levels. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
Arts revenue hits a six-year low: down 25% from 2023 to 2024, and 36% since 2019 when adjusted for inflation.
The twist? 62% of organizations actually saw slight revenue increases. Indicating large revenue losses were concentrated among a subset—not a universal experience. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
The twist? 62% of organizations actually saw slight revenue increases. Indicating large revenue losses were concentrated among a subset—not a universal experience. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
August 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Arts revenue hits a six-year low: down 25% from 2023 to 2024, and 36% since 2019 when adjusted for inflation.
The twist? 62% of organizations actually saw slight revenue increases. Indicating large revenue losses were concentrated among a subset—not a universal experience. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
The twist? 62% of organizations actually saw slight revenue increases. Indicating large revenue losses were concentrated among a subset—not a universal experience. 🔗 buff.ly/lMSQhrR
The nonprofit arts sector is walking a financial tightrope—but still drawing crowds.
@SMUDataArts releases its latest National Trends analysis, tracking data from 6,500+ arts organizations nationwide to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of today.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/xdR9NI5
@SMUDataArts releases its latest National Trends analysis, tracking data from 6,500+ arts organizations nationwide to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of today.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/xdR9NI5
August 26, 2025 at 8:00 PM
The nonprofit arts sector is walking a financial tightrope—but still drawing crowds.
@SMUDataArts releases its latest National Trends analysis, tracking data from 6,500+ arts organizations nationwide to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of today.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/xdR9NI5
@SMUDataArts releases its latest National Trends analysis, tracking data from 6,500+ arts organizations nationwide to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of today.
Read more 🔗 buff.ly/xdR9NI5