Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 ARTs (Activate. Reimagine. Transform.) + Change

Virtual Conference!

Join us February 18 - 22, 2026, for five days of presentations, workshops, performances,

and guided conversations exploring the intersection of arts, community, and changemaking.

✨Virtual

✨Free / donation-based

✨Open to all

Hosted by the University of Rochester Institute for the Performing Arts

To learn more and register

The 2026 ARTs (Activate. Reimagine. Transform) + Change Virtual

Conference is a five-day conference hosted by the University of

Rochester Institute for the Performing Arts, that provides opportunities for

educators, community members, organizations, and artists of all

disciplines to come together to create, share work and ideas, present

research, and propose collaborations.

We invite participants to learn from one another while considering how the

arts play a pivotal role in promoting justice, equity, and citizenship.

Central to these discussions are questions such as

• How are you actively participating in art, action, and changemaking?

• In what ways are artists reshaping our understanding of the world we inhabit?

  While we have encouraged every presenter to make every effort to create safe and brave spaces, we would like to encourage you to attend these sessions in the way that you need to attend. While we know that discomfort allows for growth, we would like to remind you that you have agency to make decisions that keep you safe as we embark on potentially difficult content and discussions. As we are all here to learn and grow, we welcome you to challenge ideas but ask you to agree to challenge the idea and not the person. We also want to remind you that individual presenter views do not necessarily represent the official ideas or beliefs of the University of Rochester, the Institute for the Performing Arts, or its partners.

To ensure accessibility, the conference is free of charge. A suggested $10 donation to register for those who are able.

All sessions will have the capacity for turning on closed captioning. If you need additional accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter, please email m.p.smith@rochester.edu. We will do our best, in good faith, to provide accommodations where possible. Please submit requests as early, and no later than February 4, 2026, if possible.

Featured artwork by Ella Smith

ARTs + Change is supported in partnership with the University of Rochester Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center, the Eastman Institute for Music Leadership, Create A Space Now, and the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival.