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Business Journals: Why Some Say the Best Artisan Communities Are in New York, North Carolina, and Missouri

  • September 28, 2021

Forbes has identified three top locations for people searching for a new remote workplace in a smaller town off the beaten path — where a post-pandemic lifestyle is possible without the density found in massive urban centers. These areas where artists and craftspeople congregate, with a reasonable cost of living, in attractive areas near larger cities, could be the next expansion places in the U.S.

One of these locations, Springfield, Missouri, has been named among the best artisan communities in the U.S. by Forbes. The Missouri city is one of several highlighted for individuals looking to travel or relocate to a new location, in order to enjoy a “creative, post-pandemic lifestyle.”

Missouri has a rich and diverse cultural and artistic history. In fact, a 2015 study showed that the arts have a more than $1 billion economic impact on the state and generate more than 30,000 jobs a year. According to Forbes, “as a result of this robust investment in the arts, Missouri and its arts council have fostered some of the best under-the-radar cities for arts and artisans.”

According to the Forbes article, the Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) provides outreach and support for 27 counties – the largest outreach of its kind in the state of Missouri. In fiscal year 2019, the SRAC helped artists sell more than $30,000 in artwork while also raising close to $20,000 for arts education. Seeking cultural equity, the SRAC has been following a 20-year master plan originally implemented in 1997 to help guide the organization to build on Springfield’s cultural assets and legacy to strengthen overall community and economic development.

Springfield, Missouri, is no stranger to attention. Niche recently ranked Springfield among the best cities in the U.S. for young professionals, and M25, an early-stage venture firm based in Chicago, ranked Springfield among the best cities in the Midwest for startups.

See the full article from the Business Journals here.

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