For more than 30 years, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) have supported professional development programming for state and jurisdictional arts agency (SAA) arts education managers. The annual Professional Development Institute (PDI) provides meaningful leadership development and technical assistance that new and seasoned managers alike find invaluable. As a result, arts education managers in all 56 states and jurisdictions are knowledgeable leaders in their field and are equipped to deliver high-caliber arts education programming tailored to their state’s needs.

The 2026 State Arts Agency Arts Education Managers PDI takes place in Washington D.C., Monday, October 5 – Wednesday, October 7, in partnership with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Arts education leaders will participate in a range of professional development activities at community venues that demonstrate innovative arts education programming.

Guiding Question & Outcomes

How can arts education managers strengthen locally rooted, youth-centered learning systems across their states and jurisdictions?

Learning Outcome: Participants will explore how arts learning elevates youth leadership development by embedding student voice in program design and decision making.

Learning Outcome: Participants will identify community-engaged approaches to arts education that center local knowledge and partnership.

Learning Outcome: Participants will examine approaches for supporting and uplifting organizations and artists in preparing youth for the creative workforce.

Registration

PDI registration is limited to state and jurisdictional arts agency arts education managers and invited arts education partners.

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 PDI

There is no cost to attend the 2026 PDI, but advance registration is required. The following are included with registration: New Arts Education Managers Dinner (as applicable), lunch on Tuesday, October 6, lunch on Wednesday, October 7, and transportation between the local hotel and offsite conference venues.

Hotel, Travel & Locations

Information about the conference hotel and travel can be found on the NASAA Assembly 2026 Hotel, Travel, & Locations page. The cutoff for securing rooms at the NASAA discounted rate is September 15.

NASAA Assembly 2026

Registration for NASAA Assembly 2026 is separate from Arts Education Professional Development Institute registration. Learn more about NASAA Assembly 2026.

If you have any questions about the 2026 Arts Education Professional Development Institute, please contact Meghan McFerrin.

The opinions expressed in materials on this website are those of the author(s) and do not represent the views of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information included in these materials and is not responsible for any consequences of their use. This website is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

[Photo credit]