events

Convention Activities

The Americans for the Arts Annual Convention is an event that draws creative leaders from all across the country for three days of meetings, workshops, keynote address, and networking events.  In the past, Emerging Leaders participated in specialized pre-conferences, one in Portland, OR in 2003 and one in Austin, TX in 2005. Because the issue of leadership development and professional growth runs across all professional levels of arts management, the 2007 Annual Convention is designed around seven new program tracks, one being the Leadership Track. From the Emerging Leadership Exchange to Emerging Leader scholarships, Emerging Leader peer group meetings and the Emerging Leader Reception, Americans for the Arts is committed to elevating the profile and professional practice of this vital professional group.

Emerging Leadership Exchange
Americans for the Arts offers a professional development opportunity for emerging arts leaders interested in participating in an Emerging Leadership Exchange with established leaders in the field during the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention.

Money-Saving Opportunities
Americans for the Arts offers a wide variety of strategies for saving money to participate in convention. We are sorry, but the scholarship application deadline has passed.

Peer Group Meetings
Every year, Americans for the Arts convenes peer groups and networks at the annual convention to provide them with the opportunity to network, share best practices, and discuss community issues affecting the arts across the country. Visit the convention website to learn more about the schedule of peer group convenings.

Emerging Leader Reception
This unique event gives all emerging leaders the opportunity to meet and network with old friends and new colleagues. The event fosters strong relationships between next generations of arts leaders in America, and is a fun way to kick back after a day of stimulating convention sessions. A photo gallery from the 2006 Emerging Leader Reception in Milwaukee, WI, is now available.

Emerging Leader Award
The Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Award is given to an individual (administrator, consultant, artist, etc.) or staff member who is a new and/or young leader, in recognition of his or her extraordinary work in the arts administration field. The nominee should be an emerging leader who is 35 years or younger, or who has been in the field for five years or less. For more information or to submit a nomination for the Americans for the Arts field-based awards, visit the Annual Awards section of our website.

Discount
By bringing an emerging leader to the convention, an executive director/president earns a $50 discount off his or her convention registration (registration forms must be received together to qualify). Please check your convention materials for more information.