National Arts in Education Conference March 25-27, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
National Arts in Education Conference
March 25-27, 2026 | Washington, D.C.

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Breakout Sessions A
Thursday, March 26 | 10:15-11:15 AM

A1. RAISE Action Research Poster Session

Presenters: YA Network Teaching Artists

A2. Literature at Play: Using Children’s Books to Explore Topics of Identity through Theater 

Madeline Caladrillo, Director of Public Engagement, New York City Children’s Theater
Frank Ruiz, Manager of Education Programs, New York City Children’s Theater
Remy Feldman, Education Administrator / Teaching Artist, New York City Children’s Theater

A3. Telling Our Story Together: Community-Centered Models for Arts Learning

Kelly White, Director of Education, Young Audiences of Louisiana
Ja’nese Brooks-Galathe, Director of Professional Learning, Young Audiences of Louisiana
Dr. Karen Brooks Favorite, Board of Directors, Young Audiences of Louisiana

A4. Honoring the Past, Activating the Future: Engaging Alumni as Leaders, Mentors, and Lifelong Advocates

Emma Parker, CEO, Center for Arts-Inspired Learning
Christine Madden, COO, Center for Arts-Inspired Learning

Breakout Sessions B
Thursday, March 26 | 12:15-1:00 PM

B1. Expanding the Narrative: The Professional Development / Residency Model

Sherry Norfolk, Teaching Artist, Springboard to Learning
Margaret Hassenstab, Teaching Artist, Springboard to Learning
Brenda Butler, Director of Program Facilitation & Operations, Springboard to Learning

B2. Lessons Learned Through Dance: The Impact of Our RAISE Program Grant

Tara Bach, Art Educator, Avenue School (Pleasantville Public Schools)
Liz Winter, Operations Director, Young Audiences of New Jersey & Eastern PA

B3. The Odd Couple: Data Collection and Arts Education

Elizabeth Winkelhoff, Data and Evaluation Manager, DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative

B4. What Story Art We Telling? Reimagining Narratives Through Youth-Centered Practice

Dana Carr, CEO, The Creative Impact Group

Breakout Sessions C
Thursday, March 26 | 1:15-2:15 PM

C1. Migration Stories

Mark Diaz, Associate Director of Education, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE)
Patty Okulinski, Teaching Artist, CAPE

C2. I Will… Centering Youth Voice in Storytelling

Ashley Edinger, Creative Career Programs Coordinator, Sitar Arts Center
Chloe’ Smith-Morgan, Bloomberg Arts Intern, Sitar Arts Center
A’mirah Wallace, Bloomberg Arts Intern, Sitar Arts Center

C3. Soul of Langston: Crafting Community Narratives Through Arts and Humanities

Anna Heywood Green, CEO, Arts for Learning Virginia
Aisha Noel, Programs & Community Engagement Manager, Arts for Learning Virginia
Jackie Adonis, Program Assistant & Teaching Artist, Arts for Learning Virginia

C4. Telling ArtsNOW’s Professioanal Learning Story Through Data

Pamela Walker, President and CEO, ArtsNOW
Ashlee A. Lewis, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor, University of South Carolina
Melinda Mollette, Ph.D., External Evaluator, R.E.A.L. K-12 Consulting
Delisha Shingler, Ph.D., Research Assistant Scientist, University of South Carolina
Crystal Collins, Vice President and COO, ArtsNOW

Breakout Sessions D
Thursday, March 26 | 2:30-3:30 PM

D1. Embodied Narratives: Telling Our Personal and Collective Stories Through Dance and Movement

Jennifer Puig, Teaching Artist, Arts for Learning Miami

D2. Dramatic Adventures: Creating Original Stories with Children

Ali Oliver-Kruger, Master Teaching Artist, Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts

D3. Joyful Learning: The Story of STEAM Told Through the Joy of Art Making

Christell Lewis, Executive Director, Young Audiences of Northern California
Kirah Caminos, Director of Programs, Young Audiences of Northern California

D4. The Board’s Role in Fundraising Success (and How to Get There)

David A. Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences Arts for Learning – National

Breakout Sessions E
Friday, March 27 | 10:30-11:30 AM

E1. Minor Voices

Keisha Breaker, Teaching Artist, Young Audiences of Houston

E2. Beyond the Algorithm: Preparing Students to Think, Feel, and Create in an AI World

Izzi Buikus, Artist / Teacher / Coach, Artfully Educate / University School of Milwaukee

E3. Supporting Reflective Practice: Tools to Guide Teaching Artist Growth (Pt. 1 of 2)

Presenters: ArtsEdSEL

E4. From Partnership to Impact: Building Sustainable Arts Integration Models with School Districts

Dr. Mark King, Vice President of Education, Arts for Learning Maryland
Charles Butler, EIR Director, Arts for Learning Maryland

Breakout Sessions F
Friday, March 27 | 11:45 AM-12:45 PM

F1. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Using Art and Imagination to Build a Narrative

Todd Shaffer, Staff Teaching Artist, Young Audiences of Louisiana
Renee Benson, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Young Audiences of Louisiana

F2. In Response to Place: Personal Postcard Collage as Storytelling Practice

Laura Pasquini, Visual Arts Program Navigator and Arts Integration Co-Lead, Anne Arundel Community College
Amy Carattini, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology and Arts Integration Co-Lead, Anne Arundel Community College

F3. Artistic SEL Core Practices: Foundations for Intentionally Embedding SEL in Arts Education (Pt. 2 of 2)

Presenters: ArtsEdSEL

F4. From Story to System: How Narrative Drives Arts Education Policy in Alabama

Ashley Lucier, Executive Director, Amp Up Arts
Kat Stoves, Amp Up Arts Mobile Site Director, Mobile Arts Council

Breakout Sessions G
Friday, March 27 | 1:00-1:45 PM

G1. Let’s Play! Developing Arts Learning Programming Rooted in Creative Exploration

Alex Novak Foster, Education Manager, Arts for Learning Connecticut
Jed Kornbluh, Director of Business Development, Arts for Learning Connecticut

G2. Using Data to Shape the Narrative of Program Impact

Presenters:
Dr. Amanda Mayes, Data Research Manager, Delaware Department of Education
Ellamonique Baccus, Executive Director, Arts Partners Wichita
Esther Runck, Program Director, Arts Partners Wichita

G3. You’re Already Doing This: Simplifying Action Research and Integrating It Into Your Practice

Susanne Harnett, Managing Senior Associate, Metis Associates
Matt Klepfer, Research Associate, Metis Associates
Nyla Guadalupe, Research Assistance, Metis Associates

G4. Board Member Circle

Presenter: David A. Dik, National Executive Director, Young Audiences Arts for Learning – National