February 5, 2026

Sustaining a Nationally-Ranked Arts Community: Center for the Arts Announces Extended Resident Rent Subsidies

JACKSON, WY | February 5, 2026 – New research from SMU DataArts, a leading national institute for arts sector data, identifies Jackson WY-ID as the #1 top arts-vibrant community in the nation in 2025, and a consistently-leading community in the arts sector for 10 straight years. 

Jackson demonstrates – according to SMU DataArts’ Arts Vibrancy Index – a flourishing quantity of arts nonprofits, artists, and arts and culture firms per capita, while also thriving in the federal funding category.

This national-level recognition reflects success for Jackson’s arts community, and a vision supported by The Center since its inception.  Brought to life out of concern about how rising rent and inadequate facilities threatened Jackson’s nonprofit arts scene, The Center now houses a significant number of the town’s thriving nonprofit arts organizations – something increasingly rare in high-cost communities. 

“The core of The Center was always about creating an affordable, long-term home for the arts in Jackson,” said Marty Camino, Executive Director at Center for the Arts. “This year, we’re doubling down on that commitment by extending a freeze on rental rates for our Resident Partners. It’s exciting to see national data that supports the idea that this type of investment not only works—it excels.”

RESIDENT RENT SUPPORT

The arts nonprofits based at the Center for the Arts form the backbone of Jackson’s creative ecosystem, providing year-round programming, education, and cultural experiences for the community.

In order to provide predictability and stability for Resident Organizations, The Center has issued a freeze on sublease rental rates for the next three years with support from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole’s Catalyst Grant program. The $60,000 award allows The Center to maintain a subsidized rental rate of roughly 40% of the market rate through 2028.

“This rent freeze demonstrates a real commitment by The Center to being home for our artistic community,” Amanda Flosbach, Executive Director at Teton Music School, said. “Stability makes a meaningful difference for organizations doing year-round work in the arts. For us, that means we can focus on providing lifelong learning in music education, rather than being distracted by short-term uncertainty.”

At a time of increasing financial uncertainty for arts organizations nationwide, The Center is proud to provide a stable, affordable home to 18 Resident arts nonprofits on its campus that contribute to Jackson’s thriving arts scene. During this rent freeze, The Center will work to formalize a long-term financial model for supporting the arts community in Jackson in perpetuity. 

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