Massachusetts Is One Of The Most Innovative States

WalletHub recently published a report that detailed the most (and least) innovative states in America. Massachusetts ranked at the top. In this, they explain how “Innovation is a principal driver of U.S. economic growth.”

In order to determine where the innovation is coming from, WalletHub dove into “Human Capital” and “Innovation Environment.” From there, they dove deep into those segments by establishing 22 different metrics. For example, these metrics included science, math and engineering data for “Human Capital.” For “Innovation Environment,” areas like invention patents, entrepreneurial activity, and research and development were weighed.

The findings here actually compared 51 different regions as Washington, DC, was included. In fact, the district finished first. This poses an interesting question for Massachusetts’ official results.

Massachusetts Finished Second

Coming in with a total state innovation index score of 75.48, Massachusetts ranked #2 out of 51. However, this can be interpreted as the Bay State actually claiming the top spot when compared to the other 49 states in the country, specifically.

Breaking Down The Score

Massachusetts was the #1 state in the “Innovation Environment” category and the #2 state in “Human Capital.” In addition, here are some other areas where Massachusetts’ light shined bright. In the projected STEM-job demand by 2030 metric, Massachusetts tied for first. Next, we were third best in eighth-grade math and science. Finally, research and development spending by capital also saw Massachusetts tie for first, as did venture capital funding per capita.

WalletHub suggests that certain states in the country make innovation high on their economic priority list. “These states continue to grow innovation through investments in education, research and business creation, especially in highly specialized industries,” they said.

MIT

In Cambridge, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shared information in their MIT News publication regarding the university consistently being recognized as one of the most innovative in the country. Furthermore, this outlet even has dedicated innovation and research sections on their site that provides detail on how MIT is strongly contributing to Massachusetts being one of the most innovative states in the country.

Massachusetts: Local Street Art Is Getting National Exposure

A New Bedford, Massachusetts street art display is now getting national attention by being published in a book by Simon & Schuster.

On the Wall Posters: Street Art is described as a one-of-a-kind collection of posters, all from local artists. This book showcases 30 graffiti and street mural-inspired wall posters. Furthermore, it is all from the local mural art project, Superflat NB.

Founded in 2017, Superflat NB works directly with New Bedford’s residents and other artists around the world. Together, they are creating transformative public art. The collection of posters they will be publishing into a colorful book will bring these art pieces to life. In fact, you can now insert them right into your home.

What Superflat means

Japanese contemporary artist, “Takashi Murakami coined the term to express spatial compression and the blending of high and low art in his own work.” Superflat NB explains via their website. “Surperflat NB will provide access to the arts by directly engaging New Bedford’s youth, artists, and its residents in the ideation and creation of transformative public art through the traditions of mural-making,” they conclude. Their aim is to revitalize the city of New Bedford by inspiring youth with this creative outlet. In addition, their murals will bring national artists’ work into the community.

Book Introduction

“Today, street art is used worldwide for self-expression and to add character to unexpected places,” the book quotes. What can you expect to find when you crack open this poster book? On The Wall Posters: Street Art explains it as “wildstyle graffiti tags and colorful B-boy characters, to pop-art, stencil-style mural and more.”

Here, we will look at three pieces featured in this Massachusetts street art book that will now receive national distribution.

The book is available for pre-order now. It will be officially released on September 19, 2023. In the meantime, you preview the images and find more information on their Simon & Schuster page.