Top Arts Destinations in the Southeast - 2009

AmericanStyle magazine's annual Top 25 Arts Destinations reader poll for 2009 identifies 22 southeastern cities and towns (one more than last year) as some of the nation's top arts destinations. The poll is divided into three groups: big cities with populations of 500,000 and greater, mid-sized cities with populations of 100,000 to 499,999 and small cities and towns with populations of fewer than 100,000.

Ranked in the number two spots for each of their categories, Asheville, North Carolina in the small cities category and Chattanooga, Tennessee in the mid-sized cities category received the highest rankings of the cities selected in the Southeast. Asheville maintained its second place position from last year, however this is Chattanooga's debut year onto the list and to land in second place is an extraordinary accomplishment. Also new to the list this year, Berea, Kentucky ranked in the 24th spot in the small cities category.

Of the top 25 ranked big cities, Atlanta ranked in position 8, Charlotte in position 16 and Nashville in position 18. With six cities or towns taking honors, Florida was ranked with the most winners in the southeastern states, followed by North Carolina with four, Georgia with three, South Carolina and Tennessee with two and Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia each having one city or town in a winning spot. In addition, Louisiana and Arkansas, both sometimes considered to be part of the southeastern region, earned one named city each.

All of the cities and towns in the Southeast and the respective rank within each category are as follows:

• Top Big Cities in the Southeast
  8 - Atlanta, Georgia
  16 - Charlotte, North Carolina
  18 - Nashville, Tennessee



• Top Mid-Sized Cities in the Southeast
  2 - Chattanooga, Tennessee
  5 - New Orleans, Louisiana
  6 - Charleston, South Carolina
  7 - Savannah, Georgia
  11 - Alexandria, Virginia
  12 - Miami, Florida
  15 - Athens, Georgia
  22 - St. Petersburg, Florida
  24 - Raleigh, North Carolina
  25 - Tampa, Florida



• Top Small Cities and Towns in the Southeast
  2 - Asheville, North Carolina
  6 - Key West, Florida
  7 - Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
  11 - Sarasota, Florida
  12 - Beaufort, South Carolina
  13 - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  19 - Eureka Springs, Arkansas
  22 - Naples, Florida
  24 - Berea, Kentucky

"Remember the vital roles played by artists during the last recession," said Wendy Rosen, publisher of AmericanStyle. "They moved in to dying Main Streets, shuttered factories and warehouse districts, and converted them into galleries and art scenes. Their murals, outdoor sculpture and other public art enchanted tourists and helped spark new investment. Artists led the way then, and they are leading the way now."

Additional Information

• Visit AmericanStyle magazine
  
• See the 2008 List of Top Arts Destinations in the Southeast