When you think of the best cities for creative types, big cities like Los Angeles and New York may come to mind. However, according to a recent study by SmartAsset, smaller cities are leading the way when it comes to employment opportunities in creative fields. The best cities for creative workers:
New Orleans – 109.4 creatives per 10,000 workers*
Lincoln, NE – 88 creatives per 10,000 workers
Salt Lake City, UT – 102.3 creatives per 10,000 workers
South Bend, IN – 77.6 creatives per 10,000 workers
Austin, TX – 96.4 creatives per 10,000 workers
Kansas City, MO – 90.3 creatives per 10,000 workers
Des Moines, IA – 77 creatives per 10,000 workers
Kalamazoo, MI – 65 creatives per 10,000 workers
Nashville, TN – 86.7 creatives per 10,000 workers
Omaha, NE – 75.6 creatives per 10,000 workers
* The list was made based on the number of people employed in creative occupations per 10,000 workers. BLS data from 421 metro areas was used. The 28 creative professions were: Art Directors; Craft Artists; Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators; Multimedia Artists and Animators; Artists and Related Workers, All Other; Commercial and Industrial Designers; Floral Designers; Graphic Designers; Interior Designers; Set and Exhibit Designers; Designers, All Other; Actors; Producers and Directors; Choreographers; Music Directors and Composers; Musicians and Singers; Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other; Editors; Writers and Authors; Sound Engineering Technicians; Photographers; Film and Video Editors; Dancers; Fashion Designers; Reporters and Correspondents; Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary; Curators; Architects.
See the full study at https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-top-ten-cities-for-creatives-in-2016