Earlier this month, Good asked its readers to submit picks for cities full of emerging talent and creativity. In this piece Colleen Wormsley compiles the results.
Among their picks for North America's best emerging art scenes, Good selected Grand Rapids, Michigan whose annual ArtPRize event awards more than $498,000 to artists based on a public vote. Even more meaningful than the prize money, supposedly, is "building community and exchanging ideas."
Another city cited for recognition is Austin, Texas, home to this week's South by Southwest conference. According to Wormsley, "Austin has no shortage of cool art events, including Art City Austin, which the Art Alliance Austin calls an 'art festival Meets block party.'"
South of the border, the city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, was also recognized. "San Miguel de Allende is a popular tourist attraction for art lovers worldwide and is home to San Miguel's Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Instituto Allende," writes Wormsley.
FULL STORY: 8 North American Cities Experiencing an Artistic Boom

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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