Cincinnati is One of the Top 'Arts Vibrant' Regions in the Country, According to Index Report

Cincinnati has appeared on the Arts Vibrancy Index since 2020, steadily rising in the rankings each year.

By Katherine Barrier on Fri, Oct 27, 2023 at 1:06 pm

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Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Cincinnati Music Hall

Cincinnati is a pretty artsy city, according to a new report.

SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research, Thursday released its eighth Arts Vibrancy Index, with the Cincinnati region ranking 11th out of the top 20 most arts-vibrant large regions in the United States.

Analyzing the levels of supply, demand and federal and state government support for the arts, the index ranks a total of 40 communities, separated into three size categories, out of more than 900 across the country. The Queen City has appeared in the Arts Vibrancy Index since its debut at No. 20 in 2020.

“This report affirms two things: arts organizations in the Cincinnati region play a vital role in driving economic vibrancy and social connectivity, and residents of the region are highly arts-engaged,” ArtsWave president and CEO Alecia Kintner said in a press release. “We also know that you cannot separate the quality and variety of arts experiences here from the decades of strategic, philanthropic investment in the arts by individuals and businesses. This index provides a new way to talk about return on that investment.”

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The index is made up of 13 unique metrics that touch on supply, demand, and government support for arts and culture. It’s also adjusted for cost of living and population differences across each region. Among the metrics, Cincinnati ranked fourth in earned program revenue, like ticket sales, and was also notable for contributed income (philanthropic gifts). And Cincinnati’s high marks in government support come our arts organizations’ skills in winning competitive state and federal arts grants, says ArtsWave.

“This speaks to the quality and continual innovation demonstrated by our region’s arts institutions because, for these grants, they are evaluated against peers across the nation,” Kintner added.

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Of the top 20 large (communities with a population of 1 million or more), the San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City region, followed by New York-Jersey City-White Plains and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ranked in the top three. Of Ohio’s large cities, Cleveland also ranked in the top 20, coming just behind Cincinnati at No. 12. In the medium-sized region category, the Canton-Massillon, Ohio, area ranked eighth out of the top 10.

See the full Arts Vibrancy Index here.

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25 Touristy Things Every Cincinnati Resident Should Do at Least Once

Be in the Heart of It All at Fountain Square520 Vine St., DowntownIf you want to get to the heart of Cincinnati and its people, Fountain Square is the place to start. Home to the Tyler Davidson Fountain (a.k.a. The Genius of Water), Fountain Square sits right in the middle of Downtown Cincinnati at Fifth and Vine streets and plays host to numerous events and programs throughout the year, including the beloved UC Health Ice Rink in the winter, Salsa on the Square and Frisch’s Roller Rink. It’s within walking distance to some of Downtown’s best restaurants, like Via Vite, Jeff Ruby’s, Sotto and Mita’s, making it the perfect place to stop before or after dinner with friends. Fountain Square also has its own mini-bar, Fountain Bar, where you can buy a pop, beer, seltzer or mixed drink while you enjoy live music or just people-watching.

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Take in the View at Smale Riverfront Park166 W. Mehring Way, The BanksYou can’t be a Cincinnati tourist if you don’t stop to look at one of our most iconic landmarks: the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge. While it’s true the best view of the bridge is from Covington with Cincinnati’s skyline in the background, Smale Riverfront Park offers stunning views of the bridge, plus a whole lot more. Recently voted one of the top five riverwalks in the country in USA Today’s 10Best, Smale connects downtown from Paul Brown Stadium to Great American Ball Park with 45 acres of greenway. The park features public art, interactive fountains, playgrounds and giant swing sets that give a hell of a view of the Ohio River. Not only that, but you can walk or bike the paved trail from Smale through Sawyer Point, Yeatman’s Cove and down to Montgomery Inn and Friendship Park, or over the Purple People Bridge into Newport, all without getting near a car. And at Smale, you’re near all the fun The Banks has to offer, like the Andrew J Brady Music Center, Carol Ann’s Carousel, The Banks’ DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area) and quality Cincinnati establishments like Moerlein Lager House, E+O Kitchen and The Filson.

Eat and Shop Your Heart Out at Findlay Market1801 Race St., Over-the-RhineIt would almost be a crime to miss out on seeing Findlay Market. Ohio’s oldest-operating public market, Findlay Market is easily recognized by its candy-colored awnings and buildings and the bustling people around it throughout the day. But the market isn’t just colorful; it’s also a treasure trove of some of Cincinnati’s best food and shops. Satisfy your sweet tooth with gelato from uGOgelato or Dojo Gelato or a pastry from Moxy. For lunch, you can try Colombian arepas at The Arepa Place or a croque monsieur at French Crust. Eckerlin Meats has Cincinnati staple goetta you can cook up, and The Rhined is your go-to spot for all things charcuterie (and don’t forget to stop in Market Wines to find the perfect wine to pair with your board). You can also find artisan goods like all-natural soap from Maumee World Traders, candles and honey from Bee Haven or CBD products from Cincinnati Hemp Company.

Get Smart at the Cincinnati Museum Center1301 Western Ave., West EndUnion Terminal is home to several smaller museums within the Cincinnati Museum Center, including the Cincinnati History Museum and the Children’s Museum, both of which were named in the top 10 best museums of their kind by USA Today’s 10Best. Not only does the Cincinnati Museum Center host extraordinary traveling exhibits, like Dinosaurs of Antarctica or The Science Behind Pixar, its history museum allows visitors to step back in time to become immersed in Cincinnati’s history, from the earliest settlers to traditions only found here, like our chili. The museum has everything from costumed interpreters to a recreation of the bustling Public Landing as it was in the 1850s and a replica of the Queen of the West, a side-wheel steamboat. At the Children’s Museum, kids can dive into arts, culture and science. The museum has over 1,800 hours of programming each year and offers hands-on fun for kids of all ages with its eight themed play areas, including two designed for younger children. You can also catch a documentary in the museum’s state-of-the-art IMAX theater or hear the stories of courage and perseverance from survivors at the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center.

Meet Fiona and the Gang at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens3400 Vine St., AvondaleWhen you visit the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, the first thing you’ll want to do is meet true Cincinnati royalty. Fiona, her baby brother Fritz, mom Bibi and step/dad Tucker will all be at Hippo Cove waiting to see you. There are also tons of other adorable animals to stop and see while you’re there, from elephants and manatees to giraffes and lions. If you’re lucky enough to go in April, you’ll see an explosion of color from the tulips and daffodils of Zoo Blooms. And toward the end of the year, the zoo comes alive with millions of bright, twinkly lights for the Festival of Lights.

Take in a Performance at Music Hall1241 Elm St., Over-the-RhineCincinnati is a hub for great art in every medium, and that’s never more apparent than when you attend a show at Music Hall, which is arguably a work of art in and of itself. Want to catch a live symphony of a Star Wars soundtrack or see the Cincinnati Ballet in action? Head to this historic landmark. Friends of Music Hall, its nonprofit arm, also offers tours of the building so you can dive deeper into its history and see what’s happening behind the scenes (and maybe even meet a ghost). And right across the street is the beautifully renovated Washington Park, which is a great place to unwind, see free live music or enjoy a drink at its patio bar, The Porch.

Bask in the Neon Glow of the American Sign Museum1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp WashingtonThis one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the art and history of commercial signs and sign-making holds the stories of a not-often-seen side of American history. You can wander through the American Sign Museum’s collection and ever-present neon glow to learn more about these stories, as well as see what goes into preserving or restoring old signs.

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Katherine Barrier

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Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...

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