State of the arts

Texas is a bust in new ranking of best states for arts and artists

Maybe Texas should start directing more of its funding towards the arts.

The arts bring vibrance and color to communities everywhere, but a new report paints a somewhat bleak picture for artists and arts funding in Texas.

Texas ranks 28th in a new report on best states for the arts in 2024 by SmileHub, a nonprofit tech company founded by the same CEO as personal finance website WalletHub.

The report compared all 50 states based on their arts education, accessibility, and the creative arts economy. Factors that helped determine each state's rank include the number of fine arts museums and galleries per capita, the average salaries for fine artists, the share of the population with a degree in visual arts, and much more.

Texas only scored 35.12 out of 100 total possible points. For comparison, New York was crowned the No. 1 best state for the arts with a score of 73 points.

Across the three key metrics in the study, Texas ranked No. 18 for its accessibility, No. 35 for the "artists economy and personal finances" rank, and No. 41 in arts education.

According to SmileHub's data, only 0.03 percent of the state's population holds a degree in visual arts, and the average salary for a Texas-based artist is $52,490.27. That average salary is one of the lowest nationwide, ranking No. 47 overall.

Nevada boasts the highest average salary for fine artists, at about $82,245 on average. That's a big leap over Texas.

Texas also has the 49th lowest federal arts funding per capita, at just $1.33. Wyoming, on the other hand, receives the highest federal arts funding per capita at $15.95. Wyoming landed in a four-way tie for No. 1 in this category with North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont.

There's many benefits that can come from Texas investing more into its own creative arts sector. SmileHub says it's been proven to better one's mental health, and provides a greater likelihood of children and young adults getting recognition for their academic achievements. Engaging with art can also bridge gaps in communication between different cultures or political groups, the report said.

"Creating an environment where the arts thrive requires access to artistic opportunities, charitable giving to support artists, policies and businesses to sustain the art economy, and an emphasis on the arts in education," the report said.

The top 10 best states for the arts are:

No.1 – New York
No. 2 – Washington
No. 3 – Oregon
No. 4 – California
No. 5 – Montana
No. 6 – Vermont
No. 7 – Colorado
No. 8 – Massachusetts
No. 9 – New Mexico
No. 10 – Illinois

The full report and its methodology can be found on smilehub.org.

arts-culture texas reports

Get inspired

Noted Houston street artist paints vibrant new mural at downtown venue

Photo courtesy of Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

GONZO247 poses in front of his new mural, "Houston is Inspired" inside Hobby Center

Visitors to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts can now see an incredible new mural by one of Houston's most iconic street artists.Mario Enrique Figueroa, Jr., known as Gonzo247, debuted his piece, "Houston is Inspired" on Friday, December 12.

“This piece is all about capturing the energy that makes Houston, Houston," said the artist in a statement. "It’s that raw, vibrant hustle — the music, the culture, the stories we’ve been telling for generations. I wanted to create something that pulls people in, gets them hyped for what they’re about to experience. Every color, every shape, every detail is telling a story, a vibe. This ain’t just a mural or a piece of art — it’s a journey. It's about the grind, the growth, and the inspiration we pass on to each other, on and off the stage.”

The piece is called "Houston is Inspired," after the program at Hobby meant to showcase local performers by offering them week-long residencies on a prestigious stage. This season includes CJ Emmons's one-man comedy musical show I'm Freaking Talented; a rhythmic interactive storytelling experience called Our Road Home by Jakari Sherman; and Lavanya Rajagopalan's combination of music, dance and verse, Kāvya: Poetry in Motion. Information about all three shows, including ticket prices and availability, can be found at TheHobbyCenter.org.

The last show (debuting May 1) was a particular inspiration to Gonzo247. Viewers may notice a pair of hands in a traditional Indian dance pose, a direct reference to Rajagopalan's show.

The Houston is Inspired program was launched launched in the 2023-2024 season. In addition to the residency in Zilkha Hall, artists are given a $20,000 stipend for production and marketing costs. It is now a permanent fixture of the Hobby season. Applicants for future seasons can submit here.

Known for his original "Houston is Inspired" mural in downtown's Market Square, Gonzo247 has been an active force in Houston art for 30 years, including producing the video series Aerosol Warfare about the street art scene in the 1990s and 2000s as well as founding the Graffiti and Street Art Museum. He also served as the artist liaison for Meow Wolf's Houston installation. If anyone's visual vision is perfect to welcome audience members to shows highlighting homegrown talent, it's him.

“Art’s all about telling stories, but it ain’t just what you see — it’s what you feel," he said. "This piece speaks to the heart of everything we’re about: culture, rhythm, struggle, and triumph. When you walk into the space, you gotta feel the anticipation, the energy building up. That’s what I wanted to capture — the vibe of the whole city, the passion in the work, and that next-level hunger to rise up and create something fresh. It’s like the beat drops, and everything just connects.”

visual-art downtown mural gonzo247