2026 Annual Meeting
Gather with AAHE colleagues in New Haven.
The 2026 AAHE Annual Meeting will be held June 10-13, 2026, in New Haven, Connecticut, hosted by Yale Schwarzman Center.
Meeting details
June 10-13, 2026 | New Haven, CT | Hosted by Yale Schwarzman Center
Connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, successes, and best practices, and experience art at Yale and in New Haven.
Thank you to our sponsors
2026 Annual Meeting Sponsors
Registration
Register for the 2026 Annual Meeting.
Registration is open for the 2026 AAHE Annual Meeting. The registration fee is $100 per person. Members who have not yet paid membership dues this year may add optional $300 organizational membership dues during registration.
Registration deadline: Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
Hotel
Book your hotel room.
Haven’t booked your stay yet?
While the deadline for guaranteed discounted rooms at the Omni New Haven Hotel has passed, you may still be able to access rooms at the AAHE preferred rate.
Step 1: Check availability here. If it lets you book, you’re all set.
Step 2: If not, email nichole.knight@yale.edu for potential additional availability.
Schedule overview
Schedule
Schedule details are subject to change.
4:00-5:00 PM
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Beinecke Exhibitions Tour
For those in town early, join us for a special tour of the current exhibitions at Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
- Unfurling the Flag: Reflections on American Patriotism – an exhibit related to the foundations of the US, the American Revolution, and historical ideas on patriotism.
- Silent Spring, Windswept Seas – focuses on the work of scientist and environmental educator Rachel Carson.
Led by Charles “Chaz” Warner, Jr., Community Engagement Program Manager, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
9:00-10:30 AM
Yale Schwarzman Center – Presidents’ Room
Opening Session and Yale Schwarzman Center Tour
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Yale Center for Collaborative Art and Media (CCAM) – Leeds Studio, Room 103
Collaboration Across Disciplines for Arts Engagement & Experimentation
Come learn how CCAM structures its programming, collaborates across disciplines, and produces events and workshops to enrich arts engagement and foster hands-on experimentation with emerging technologies.
Dr. Lauren Dubowski, Assistant Director, Yale Center for Collaborative Arts and Media (CCAM)
12:30-1:30 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:30-2:45 PM
Yale Schwarzman Center – Presidents’ Room
AAHE Business Meeting
3:15-4:45 PM
Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG)
Engaging Students at the Yale University Art Gallery
Sydney Simon and Molleen Theodore discuss the Gallery Guide program and lead activities core to Guide training and the museum’s pedagogical approach to engaging with the collection.
Sydney Skelton Simon, Bradley Associate Curator of Academic Affairs
Molleen Theodore, Jane and Gerald Katcher Curator of Programs
5:30-6:30 PM
Yale University Art Gallery
Sketching in August Sander
Take part in an evening of guided sketching inspired by the current YUAG exhibition, August Sander’s People of the 20th Century.
Free and open to the public. Annual Meeting registration not required.
Evening
Dinner on Your Own
6:00-10:00 PM
Yale Schwarzman Center – The Well (Lower Level)
Summer @ the Well: Ross Wightman & Amanda Ekery Duo
Free and open to the public. Annual Meeting registration not required.
9:00-11:30 AM
NXTHVN
Town and Gown: Models of New Haven’s Arts Community Partnerships
Introduction by Shamain McAllister (she/her), Director of Arts, Culture, & Tourism, City of New Haven. Stay after the session to explore NXTHVN’s studios with Jasmin Agosto (she/they), Programs & Exhibition Manager.
Annie Lin
Caitlin Daly-Gonzalez
Joel M. Dodson
Mike SkinnerModerated by Jennifer Harrison Newman, Yale Schwarzman Center
12:00-1:30 PM
Yale Schwarzman Center – Presidents’ Room
Keynote by David Dorfman: “Everything I’ve Learned, I’ve Learned from Art”
David Dorfman discusses his 40-year career as a choreographer and dance activist, then invites attendees to reflect on and plan their next artistic engagements in a participatory component.
David Dorfman (he/him), Artistic Director, David Dorfman Dance; Professor of Dance, Connecticut College
2:00-3:15 PM
Yale Schwarzman Center – Presidents’ Room
Program Assessment: How, why and help
Assessing programs within the arts is critical, yet often elusive. Linsey and Carla lead the group through assessment models and open it up for others to share theirs. Come with questions and ideas.
Linsey Bostwick, Director, NYU Production Lab
Carla Costa, Program Director, Careers in Arts & Communication, Amherst College 3:30-4:45 PM
Yale Schwarzman Center – Various Rooms, 2nd Floor
Moderated Career Track Discussions
Break into groups to delve deeper into your career path, regardless of the stage you’re in.
- Early Careers – Adrienne Frank (she/they), Program Specialist for Student Engagement, Arts Initiative, University of Michigan
- Expanding Careers – Shawn Reming, Jr. (he/him), Program Manager, Smith Office for the Arts (SOFA), Smith College
- Established Careers – Deb Mexicotte (she/her), Consultant, Arts Initiative, University of Michigan
5:00-6:00 PM
Yale Schwarzman Center – Dance Studio, Lower Level
David Dorfman Dance Residency Shareout
Join David Dorfman Dance Company for a sneak peek from their new evening-length dance/theater piece, “The Front Line,” at the culmination of their weeklong residency.
Co-commissioned by Yale Schwarzman Center with development support from The Democracy Cycle (Perelman Performing Arts Center | PAC NYC and Civis Foundation), American Dance Festival, and Bates Dance Festival.
6:30-9:00 PM
Lost In New Haven
Closing Reception with Live Performance
Closing reception at Lost In New Haven – a converted warehouse merging museum and cultural hub into one immersive space celebrating the breadth and vibrancy of New Haven. Playwright Aaron Jafferis and theatre hip-hop artist Dahlak Brathwaite will present a sneak peek of their new musical theater project, Bad Baby (working title), share excerpts of the work, and conduct a Q&A.
All Day
Free Time & Optional Activities in New Haven
Explore New Haven and the Yale campus on your own. Some suggestions:
Museums, Galleries & Libraries
Keynote
David Dorfman: “Everything I’ve Learned, I’ve Learned from Art”
David Dorfman will discuss his 40-year career as a choreographer and dance activist. The keynote includes a participatory component inviting attendees to reflect on, celebrate, and plan their next artistic engagements.
Featured sessions
Session details
Thursday, June 11 – 11:00 AM
Collaboration Across Disciplines for Arts Engagement & Experimentation
Come learn how CCAM structures its programming, collaborates across disciplines, and produces events and workshops to enrich arts engagement and foster hands-on experimentation.
Thursday, June 11 – 3:15 PM
Engaging Students at the Yale University Art Gallery
Sydney Skelton Simon and Molleen Theodore discuss the Gallery Guide program and lead activities core to Guide training and the museum’s pedagogical approach.
Friday, June 12 – 9:00 AM
Town and Gown: Models of New Haven’s Arts Community Partnerships
Arts administrators from Yale, SCSU, NHSO, and the City of New Haven discuss cross-community partnerships that bridge campus and city.
Friday, June 12 – 12:00 PM
Keynote by David Dorfman
“Everything I’ve Learned, I’ve Learned from Art” – 40-year career translating life into art, with a participatory component for attendees.
Friday, June 12 – 2:00 PM
Program Assessment: How, why and help
Linsey Bostwick and Carla Costa lead a workshop and town hall on assessing arts programs, sustainability, alignment, and shared tools.
Friday, June 12 – 3:30 PM
Moderated Career Track Discussions
Breakout groups for Early, Expanding, and Established career stages – dive deeper into your path with peers and experienced moderators.
Past meetings
AAHE gathers on member campuses across the country.
Recent Annual Meetings have been hosted in Philadelphia, Boston, Palo Alto, Ann Arbor, and other cities.