State of the arts
Texas lacks creativity in new ranking of best states for arts and artists
Maybe Texas should start directing more of its funding towards the arts.
The arts bring vibrance and color to communities everywhere, but a new report paints a somewhat bleak picture for artists and arts funding in Texas.
Texas ranks 28th in a new report on best states for the arts in 2024 by SmileHub, a nonprofit tech company founded by the same CEO as personal finance website WalletHub.
The report compared all 50 states based on their arts education, accessibility, and the creative arts economy. Factors that helped determine each state's rank include the number of fine arts museums and galleries per capita, the average salaries for fine artists, the share of the population with a degree in visual arts, and much more.
Texas only scored 35.12 out of 100 total possible points. For comparison, New York was crowned the No. 1 best state for the arts with a score of 73 points.
Across the three key metrics in the study, Texas ranked No. 18 for its accessibility, No. 35 for the "artists economy and personal finances" rank, and No. 41 in arts education.
According to SmileHub's data, only 0.03 percent of the state's population holds a degree in visual arts, and the average salary for a Texas-based artist is $52,490.27. That average salary is one of the lowest nationwide, ranking No. 47 overall.
Nevada boasts the highest average salary for fine artists, at about $82,245 on average. That's a big leap over Texas.
Texas also has the 49th lowest federal arts funding per capita, at just $1.33. Wyoming, on the other hand, receives the highest federal arts funding per capita at $15.95. Wyoming landed in a four-way tie for No. 1 in this category with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont.
There's many benefits that can come from Texas investing more into its own creative arts sector. SmileHub says it's been proven to better one's mental health, and provides a greater likelihood of children and young adults getting recognition for their academic achievements. Engaging with art can also bridge gaps in communication between different cultures or political groups, the report said.
"Creating an environment where the arts thrive requires access to artistic opportunities, charitable giving to support artists, policies and businesses to sustain the art economy, and an emphasis on the arts in education," the report said.
The top 10 best states for the arts are:
- No.1 – New York
- No. 2 – Washington
- No. 3 – Oregon
- No. 4 – California
- No. 5 – Montana
- No. 6 – Vermont
- No. 7 – Colorado
- No. 8 – Massachusetts
- No. 9 – New Mexico
- No. 10 – Illinois
