December 20, 2022
The Big Idea:
A recent report by Workamajig, a producer of digital tools for creatives, ranked Fort Lauderdale as the 29th most creative city in the United States out of over 300 cities and towns.
"The study ranks each city based on the state of its creative economy: determining which metropolis had the highest access to creative talent along with factors that instill a creative atmosphere, analyzing access to activities that spark creativity and innovation."
By The Numbers:
Fort Lauderdale, ranked 29th, placed ahead of other hot sun belt cities like Tampa, Austin, Nashville, and Dallas. One of the main reasons Fort Lauderdale outperformed these other hot cities is due to its strong network of artists per capita.
Residents of Fort Lauderdale are more likely to have direct access to local artists than these other cities. Fort Lauderdale residents are 20 times more likely to experience the work of a local artist than residents of Austin. According the the report, Fort Lauderdale has 82 residents per artist. By contrast, Tampa has 434 residents per artist, Nashville has 743 residents per artist, and Austin has 1643 artists per resident.
Why This Matters:
Thriving cities like Fort Lauderdale have a robust presence of local artists, strongly support creative talent, and have ample spaces available for creative expression. Creative cities have strong arts & cultural ecosystems and tend to see higher rates of entrepreneurial activity.
Upcoming Events Celebrating the Fort Lauderdale Arts Community:
The 35th annual Las Olas Art Fair returns on January 7th and 8th.
Fort Lauderdale Art & Design Week, from January 21st to 29th, unites local artists and cultural institutions to celebrate everything art & culture related that our area has to offer.
IGNITE Broward, hosted by the Broward County Cultural Division from January 26th to 30th, will feature immersive light and art experiences, in DowntownFTL at Esplanade Park and the Museum of Discovery and Science.
Photo Credit: Broward County Cultural Division