The Kennedy Center's Office of Accessibility is seeking proposals for the 2027 LEAD® Conference that:
- Approach accessibility from a customer service and civil rights perspective;
- Provide practical information addressing current trends and challenges in this field;
- Actively engage participants through discussion and/or hands-on activities;
- Explore accessibility for a variety of cultural arts organizations, including performing arts centers, museums, theaters, state arts agencies, parks, zoos, and arenas; and
- Are designed for new, mid-career, and/or seasoned professionals.
Sessions for the ED@LEAD track bring together professionals in the intersecting fields of general education, arts education, special education, and teaching artistry to invigorate their practice by sharing and learning together. These sessions are interactive and hands-on, providing practical instructional strategies, tips, and techniques that can be applied immediately in all educational settings to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities in and through the arts.
Proposals must be submitted online by December 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.
For more information, to request proposal materials in a different format, or to discuss your proposal, please contact the Office of Access/VSA at 202-416-8727 or LEAD@Kennedy-Center.org.
Sessions will be selected by and at the sole discretion of the LEAD® content committee under the supervision of the Kennedy Center. Presenters should be prepared to cover travel and hotel expenses, meal costs, and applicable conference fees. Presenters may submit more than one proposal (up to three). Incomplete proposals will not be considered.
The LEAD® conference does not address professional development for artists with disabilities. For resources for artists, please visit the VSA Programs page.
2027 LEAD Conference Request for Proposals
The Kennedy Center's Office of Accessibility is seeking proposals for the 2027 LEAD® Conference that:
- Approach accessibility from a customer service and civil rights perspective;
- Provide practical information addressing current trends and challenges in this field;
- Actively engage participants through discussion and/or hands-on activities;
- Explore accessibility for a variety of cultural arts organizations, including performing arts centers, museums, theaters, state arts agencies, parks, zoos, and arenas; and
- Are designed for new, mid-career, and/or seasoned professionals.
Sessions for the ED@LEAD track bring together professionals in the intersecting fields of general education, arts education, special education, and teaching artistry to invigorate their practice by sharing and learning together. These sessions are interactive and hands-on, providing practical instructional strategies, tips, and techniques that can be applied immediately in all educational settings to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities in and through the arts.
Proposals must be submitted online by December 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.
For more information, to request proposal materials in a different format, or to discuss your proposal, please contact the Office of Access/VSA at 202-416-8727 or LEAD@Kennedy-Center.org.
Sessions will be selected by and at the sole discretion of the LEAD® content committee under the supervision of the Kennedy Center. Presenters should be prepared to cover travel and hotel expenses, meal costs, and applicable conference fees. Presenters may submit more than one proposal (up to three). Incomplete proposals will not be considered.
The LEAD® conference does not address professional development for artists with disabilities. For resources for artists, please visit the VSA Programs page.