Boulder Recognized for Sustained Arts-Vibrancy

SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, has released its 10th annual Arts Vibrancy Index, naming Boulder No. 14 among the 100 most arts-vibrant core-based statistical areas (CBSAs) in the United States for 2025. Boulder was also recognized as a community that has appeared consistently in the rankings over the past five years, reflecting sustained arts vibrancy in the post-COVID era.

The Arts Vibrancy Index uses a data-driven approach to measure the relative presence, participation and support for arts and culture across more than 900 communities nationwide. Rankings are based on 13 indicators that assess arts supply, audience demand and public funding, with adjustments for cost of living and population size.

Boulder's strong performance aligns closely with local research and planning efforts currently underway through the Boulder Arts Blueprint, the city's guiding cultural plan, which is expected to be finalized and released in spring 2026. Findings from the Arts Vibrancy Index reinforce themes emerging from the Arts Blueprint, the Office of Arts and Culture Venues Studyand the Boulder Artist Census. Together, this research highlights the role of arts and culture in supporting a resilient local economy, strengthening community identity and ensuring Boulder remains a place where artists and creative organizations can thrive.

"Arts and culture are central to Boulder's character and contribute directly to our local economy, sense of place and quality of life," said Lauren Click, Office of Arts and Culture Manager. "This national recognition reflects what we hear consistently from our community through the Boulder Arts Blueprint and related studies - that continued investment in artists, venues and cultural infrastructure is essential to sustaining a vibrant, inclusive and economically strong Boulder."

The Arts Vibrancy Index evaluates communities using core-based statistical areas, defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as metropolitan and micropolitan regions that capture the economic and cultural reach of a county or group of counties and their surrounding areas. Additional information on the index's methodology, data sources and community-level results is available through the SMU DataArts data explorer.