Annual Conference Save the Date for our 62nd Annual Conference in Detroit, October 6 – 8, 2026. “The birthplace of Motown and the Model T car, this industrious Michigan city has gone from boom to bust and back. Today, it’s carving a niche for inclusive music and art.” -National Geographic Magazine While the talent, innovation, creativity and importance of these legacies and contributions can not be overstated, the arts continue to transform Detroit’s community -- driving economic growth, social change and a vibrant urban culture. Artistic expression in Detroit serves as a reflection of its resilience and community spirit. The dynamic interplay between art and society not only shapes the cultural landscape but also fosters a sense of identity and belonging among its residents. Detroit has a rich and complex artistic heritage that reflects its unique socio-economic journey across the decades. Arts and culture have taken on an important role in connecting people to each other, and to the city. They have been core to the city’s reinvention. While spending time with and learning from colleagues at ICƒAD’s 62nd Annual Conference, you will have the opportunity to experience the city’s soulful rhythms and vibrant murals that adorn the Joe Lewis Greenway, Eastern Market, and Detroit streets. You may tour Michigan Central, a 30-acre tech and cultural hub where leaders, thinkers, communities and creators come together to accelerate bold ideas and technologies that share our collective future. Bring your boogie to Motown Museum and tour the innovative Third Man Pressing manufacturing facility. Our conference experience will offer exploration and reflection opportunities with Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals, a monumental series of frescoes that celebrate the industrial workforce and the manufacturing processes of Detroit; a collection of historic theatres and The Detroit Opera House. The Arab American National Museum is devoted to documenting and sharing Arab American contributions and bringing light to the shared experiences of immigrants and ethnic groups. At the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, we will explore and celebrate the rich cultural legacy of African Americans. We’ll reflect at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and consider industrial design as we embark on the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Support artists with developmental disabilities and/or mental health differences by learning more about Progressive Arts Studio Collection. What better environment for discussing with peers the dramatically changing landscape arts administrators in higher education are facing, and how we can positively impact the lives of artists learning today who will impact our cities of tomorrow. |
