Widening the Aperture: Leading with Curiosity, Intention & Connection

Drawing on their perspectives in creative youth development and creative aging, James C. Horton and Heather Ikemire explore a shared proposition: creativity is essential infrastructure for human flourishing across the lifespan. At a moment of real challenge for arts education, this keynote invites us to look beyond the boundaries of our individual programs and organizations and consider how our work connects to some of the most pressing priorities facing our communities.

Through the lenses of curiosity, intention, and connection, James and Heather will explore how arts leaders and educators can build relationships across sectors, communicate the value of their work in new ways, and recognize opportunities for greater impact. The invitation is not simply to sustain what we have built, but to more fully recognize -and activate- the power of what we bring to the table.

Arts Education + Neurodiverse Learners

A practical conversation on creating more inclusive arts learning experiences for neurodiverse students and students with disabilities.
Will Houchin, Shana Pistilli, and a third panelist will share strategies, tools, and lessons from their work in music and arts education, with a focus on supporting access, participation, communication, confidence, and belonging.

Building Arts Education Coalitions for Local Impact

How might arts education advocates move from isolation to collaboration to strengthen local arts education ecosystems? Participants will explore examples of coalitions connecting community arts organizations, school districts, and funders at local and regional levels, and gain practical tools for building coalitions focused on advocacy, professional development, and arts education equity.

Built to Last: A Capitalization Roadmap for Arts Education

Arts education organizations can have full classrooms and strong programs while still operating with little financial breathing room. This session explores capitalization as the foundation for long-term resilience, from operating reserves and working capital to facilities and endowment growth. Using Settlement Music School’s experience as a practical lens, participants will consider how a stronger balance sheet can help organizations weather uncertainty, expand access, and invest in their mission without putting everything they have built at risk.

Creative Aging: Ideas, Strategies & Possibilities

Sharon J. Burton – Artist, Curator, Creativity Coach, Teaching Artist & Creative Aging Practitioner | Co-Chair, National Guild Creative Aging Unity Network

Join a facilitated conversation exploring what it takes to create meaningful, age-friendly creative experiences. Participants will share practical strategies, challenges, and lessons from Creative Aging programs while exploring stronger partnerships, advocacy, emerging opportunities, and ways the Guild can support the field. Come ready to share, listen, learn, and strengthen creative opportunities for older adults.

Community Music Schools & Arts Education: What’s Changing, What’s Next?

Andrew Lee – Executive Director, Washington Conservatory of Music
+ additional presenters

Community music and arts organizations are navigating changing expectations around access, programming, partnerships, sustainability, advocacy, and their role in the communities they serve. These breakout sessions will create space for leaders to step outside their individual organizations, exchange perspectives on what is changing across the field, and share what they are learning in real time.

Through facilitated small-group conversations, participants will compare notes, surface common challenges, share promising practices, and explore opportunities to strengthen connections among community-based arts organizations nationally. The sessions will also consider how organizations can build a stronger collective voice, advocate for the value of community arts and arts education, and identify opportunities for greater collaboration across the field.

CEO / Executive Directors’ Forum

An open, peer-led conversation for CEOs and Executive Directors attending the Philadelphia Regional Convening. Stanford Thompson and Vanessa Rose will host a candid exchange on the realities of leading arts organizations today, including organizational change, sustainability, people, partnerships, and the questions leaders are navigating in real time. Come ready to share what is working, what is challenging, and what you are learning.

Higher Education Forum

Mark Huxsoll – Director, Temple University Music Preparatory Division

An open conversation for higher education leaders and colleagues connected to community arts education. Hosted by Mark Huxsoll, the forum will create space to connect, share what institutions are navigating, and explore opportunities for stronger relationships between higher education, community arts programs, and the Guild.

Mid-Atlantic Network Forum

Ashlee McKinnon – Director of Education Development and Partnerships, DC Collaborative | Founder and Teaching Artist, The Rehearsal Room
+ additional presenters

A regional conversation for colleagues across the Mid-Atlantic to connect around shared priorities, collaboration, and emerging opportunities. Hosted by Ashlee McKinnon, this forum will create space to hear what is happening across the region, identify common needs and possibilities, and strengthen relationships that can continue beyond the convening.