WEBCAMS
Jackson Hole, Wyoming has been named the No. 1 arts community in the United States for 2025, according to the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Arts Vibrancy Index, the nation’s leading data-driven measure of arts and cultural vitality.
Released January 8, 2026, by SMU DataArts and the National Center for Arts Research, the milestone 10th annual Arts Vibrancy Index expanded its rankings to include the top 100 arts-vibrant communities nationwide, evaluating more than 900 communities across the country. Jackson Hole earned the top overall ranking, surpassing major metropolitan areas including New York, San Francisco, Santa Fe, and Washington, D.C.
This national recognition reflects what residents and visitors have long known: the arts are not an add-on in Jackson Hole. They are a defining part of community life.
A Decade of Cultural Excellence
In addition to earning the top ranking for 2025, Jackson Hole was also named a 10-Year Veteran of the Arts Vibrancy Index, one of only 17 communities nationwide to appear in the rankings every year since 2015. This distinction highlights sustained excellence through changing economic conditions and evolving cultural landscapes.
The Arts Vibrancy Index measures arts supply, demand, and public support at the community level, underscoring that thriving arts communities are built through long-term investment, strong participation, and deep community commitment.
“Jackson Hole’s recognition as the number one arts community in the nation reflects decades of collaboration and a shared belief that the arts are essential to quality of life,” said John Morgan, Vice President of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. “This honor belongs to the artists, galleries, museums, nonprofits, performing arts organizations, and cultural leaders whose work defines our community.”
A World-Class Arts Community
Jackson Hole’s arts scene includes more than 25 world-class galleries alongside a nationally recognized network of museums and performing arts organizations. These institutions collectively feature works by iconic artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Carl Rungius, Frederic Remington, and Charles Marion Russell, alongside contemporary artists working today.
The community’s performing arts offerings range from locally produced theater and dance to nationally touring music acts, creating year-round opportunities to experience live performance in both intimate venues and outdoor settings. Adding national distinction to the visual arts landscape is the National Museum of Wildlife Art, whose collection of more than 5,000 artworks has earned congressional designation as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States and serves as a cultural benchmark for the region.
Chamber Leadership and the Fall Arts Festival
A cornerstone of Jackson Hole’s creative identity is the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, produced annually by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. Now in its 42nd year, the Festival takes place September 9–20, 2026, transforming the valley into a 12-day celebration of Western, wildlife, and landscape art.
With more than 50 events, the Fall Arts Festival brings together artists, galleries, collectors, and visitors from around the world. Signature experiences include the internationally renowned Jackson Hole QuickDraw, gallery walks, exhibitions, live demonstrations, and community-wide celebrations that highlight the depth and diversity of Jackson Hole’s arts scene.
Through strategic promotion, destination management, and deep partnerships with local arts organizations, the Chamber helps ensure the Festival extends the visitor season, supports local artists and businesses, and reinforces Jackson Hole’s reputation as a premier arts destination.
Arts as a Defining Force
According to SMU researchers, arts vibrancy is not accidental. It is built intentionally through sustained support, public investment, and a shared commitment to creativity as an essential part of community life.
For Jackson Hole, being named the No. 1 arts community in the nation is both a celebration of past efforts and a reaffirmation of the values that continue to shape the community’s future.