Study: Boston named most inspiring U.S. city for young artists, Lexington and Anchorage make top 10

Young artists seeking inspiration should consider getting their education in Boston, according to a new analysis from WorldWideLearn.com that ranked the Massachusetts capital first in the nation, based on its strong student population, high concentration of museums and economic opportunity in creative industries. San Francisco and New York City, two arts powerhouses often lauded for their museums and performing arts, round out the top three, but smaller U.S. cities with a high concentration of art for their size, including Lexington, Anchorage and Colorado Springs, also performed well in the rankings.

The fine and liberal arts are often considered challenging majors from a career standpoint, but that can make them all the more likely to attract passionate artists seeking to embrace their creativity and connect with art in their communities. The availability of art for both recreation and job opportunities can be an important factor when prospective students are looking for a place to call home.

Using data from the American Community Survey and the Local Arts Index released by Americans for the Arts, WorldWideLearn.com ranked 55 metropolitan areas in the U.S. on multiple factors that affect the quality of life for art students and young artists alike. These include:

• Student population
• Percentage of the population aged 18-34
• The concentration of art dealers, museums and performing arts institutions
• The concentration of fine arts schools
• The number of business classified as "creative industries"

Based on these rankings, the top 10 cities are:

1. Boston
2. San Francisco
3. New York City
4. Washington, D.C.
5. Los Angeles
6. Lexington
7. Anchorage
8. Seattle
9. Colorado Springs
10. Omaha

To see the full list of the top cities and learn how they ranked in different categories, please visit WorldWideLearn.com's article on the "15 Most Inspiring Cities for Young Artists."

CONTACT: Michael Kushman
         Quinstreet Inc.
         (650) 578 - 6865
         [e-mail]