From Hawaii's Kona Coast tropics to New England's granite peaks, artists who care about their communities are joining forces with other artists, creative entrepreneurs, artistic visionaries and local business leaders. 

Their collaborative efforts are turning ordinary places into Art Towns. From outdoor art exhibitions to street busking presentations and sidewalk chalk painting competitions, communities are reinventing themselves with innovative celebrations of creativity, downtown art venues, bluegrass music festivals and energetic theater companies.

THE 100 BEST ART TOWNS IN AMERICA is a travel guide examining these emerging arts and culture destinations as well as the many Art Towns with historic ties to visual and performing arts.

Each community profile includes essential information such as key cultural assets, local styles of living and diversity, major annual events, leading performing arts groups, top visual arts venues and best outdoor recreation resources. Interviews with artists, musicians, gallery owners and arts leaders enrich the Art Town profiles with informed perspectives on local issues ranging from the art market's pulse to trends in property values and discussions about growth.

For culture lovers whose typical road trips take in museums, concerts under the stars, morning swap meets and outdoor art festivals, THE 100 BEST ART TOWNS IN AMERICA is essential for planning cultural travel itineraries. Relocating artists on the lookout for eclectic places where creativity is a powerful component of community identity will find these profiles especially helpful in their searches.

A significant number of Art Towns are known for their legacies as artist colonies. Others for their spectacular seaside locations. Many have clusters of art galleries and exemplary art museums. A majority of Art Towns are home to attractive neighborhoods filled with historic residences and well-maintained commercial districts offering affordable studio spaces. And a surprising number of Art Towns have outstanding summer music festivals, pitch-perfect concert halls and innovative stage companies.

Enterprises ranging from independent colleges to microbreweries occupy important roles in Art Town economies. Small businesses with local ownership are supported by these communities, as are innovative alternatives to social and cultural mainstreams.

Through outdoor art exhibitions, live music performances, open studio tour weekends and changing displays in artist-owned galleries, Art Towns make it easy to connect with their creative spirit. THE 100 BEST ART TOWNS IN AMERICA is your travel roadmap for visiting these inspired small community success stories.