About Pathway Committees Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is seeking visionary subject matter experts, thought leaders, and innovative organizations from across the arts, culture, and humanities sectors to partner with us in designing the future of our field. We are assembling Pathway Committees for AFTACON 2026, and we invite forward-thinking partners to help us spark creativity, push boundaries, and co-create transformative learning experiences for our national community of arts leaders. Each Pathway Committee will collaborate with AFTA to curate, design, and guide programming for one of nine thematic learning pathways at AFTACON 2026. These pathways will offer attendees immersive, relevant, and forward-looking experiences that go beyond sharing knowledge. They are designed to be catalysts for innovation — spaces where new ideas are born, collaborations emerge, and strategies for the future of arts and culture take shape. The goal is not just to educate, but to inspire transformation, ignite creativity, and foster bold new thinking across the field. Why Collaborate with AFTA? Joining a Pathway Committee is a unique opportunity to shape the national conversation about the future of arts and culture. As a Pathway Committee Member, you will: Influence how the field approaches key issues and opportunities. Collaborate with leading voices and organizations to co-design transformative learning experiences. Showcase your organization’s leadership and vision on a national stage. Inspire new ideas, collaborations, and strategies that advance the field. What Pathway Committees Will Create Each Pathway Committee will be responsible for designing one cohesive and impactful pathway that includes several core components. Together, these offerings will deliver a rich, multi-layered learning experience for attendees. 1. One 6-Hour Incubator The Incubator is the centerpiece of each pathway — an intensive, imaginative exploration that pushes bold new directions and inspires deep, forward-looking dialogue. It should be: More than a series of lectures or panels, with dynamic, interactive elements that foster creativity, experimentation, and collaboration. Strategically designed to achieve specific learning objectives. Targeted toward attendees with intermediate to advanced knowledge of the subject matter. Able to accommodate 50–100 participants. Hosted off-site at a cultural location in Albuquerque (AFTA will assist with securing the venue). Inclusive of a cultural engagement activity connected to the location (AFTA will assist with planning). 2. One 3-Hour Deep Dive The Deep Dive is a shorter, yet still immersive exploration of the pathway topic. It should be: Built around clear, forward-thinking learning objectives. Inclusive of interactive components that encourage new approaches and experimentation. Targeted toward attendees with beginner to intermediate knowledge. Able to accommodate 50–100 participants. Distinct in content and approach from the Incubator so attendees benefit from participating in both. 3. Three to Five Lightning Sessions Each pathway will also include three to four 60-minute Lightning Sessions designed to inspire and engage attendees at various experience levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). These sessions will: Be selected through a call for proposals. Be reviewed and curated by the Pathway Committee to ensure alignment with the pathway’s goals and spirit of innovation. 4. Webinars or Community Conversations Each pathway will work with AFTA staff to present one 1-hour long Webinar or Community Conversation before and/or after AFTACON to help create an arc of learning and engagement that goes beyond the convention. Role and Compensation As a member of a Pathway Committee, your organization will play a critical leadership role in shaping the future of arts and culture learning. Committees will: Provide subject matter expertise and bold direction for one pathway. Curate and plan the Incubator, Deep Dive, and Webinar/Community Conversation including content, format, and interactive design. Review and evaluate Lightning Session proposals submitted by the field. Collaborate with AFTA staff to identify ambitious, transformative learning objectives. Work closely with an assigned AFTA staff liaison, who will manage logistics and administration. Time Commitment Meetings: Weekly planning meetings from December 2025 through February 2026. (No meetings from December 20 - January 4) Bi-weekly planning meetings from March - May 2026. Kickoff Call: Monday, December 1. Convention Participation: June 2–5, 2026 in Albuquerque, NM Webinars or Community Conversations: Scheduled before and/or after AFTACON Post-Convention Evaluation (Focus Group) Benefits & Honorarium Complimentary registration to AFTACON 2026 $2,500 honorarium per person for service Priority Pathways While we welcome innovative ideas from across the field, we are especially interested in proposals that address one or more of the following priority areas for AFTACON 2026 (Note that based on the applications, we will ultimately select nine (9) pathways to develop for the Convention): Arts Advocacy Arts and Economy Arts Education Arts & Humanities & Libraries Arts Marketing Arts Policy Community Development Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Relief Rural Arts Strengthening Public Arts Infrastructure Technology, Innovation, and the Future of the Arts We are also open to additional pathway concepts that introduce bold new perspectives or respond to emerging needs and opportunities in the arts and culture sector. Application This opportunity is open to individuals and organizations. We welcome applications from artists, administrators, advocates, educators, policy leaders, researchers, and other practitioners who bring visionary thinking, diverse perspectives, and relevant experience to the field. Applicants may apply individually or on behalf of an organization, and AFTA will combine selected applicants into Pathway Committees to ensure a balanced mix of expertise, lived experience, and viewpoints. Each committee will consist of 3–5 members and will work collaboratively with AFTA staff to co-design and guide one pathway for AFTACON 2026. Applicants will be asked to submit a resume/CV and will be evaluated based on responses to the following prompts in the application: Pathway Selection and Rationale Which pathway are you most interested in helping to develop, and why? Key Issues and Vision What are the critical issues, questions, or opportunities surrounding this topic that you believe should be explored through this pathway? Relevant Experience Briefly describe your past experiences, areas of expertise, or leadership roles that have prepared you to serve on a Pathway Committee. Collaborators and Partnerships Identify any potential presenters, collaborators, or organizations you envision participating in the development or delivery of this pathway. Applicant Evaluation Criteria Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: Ability to articulate why this pathway matters now and how it could advance the field. Demonstrated capacity to think strategically, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the committee’s work. Strong ideas for potential collaborators, presenters, or organizations that could enrich the pathway’s design and delivery. Questions? Contact: Mandi Lee, AFTACON Team Lead, convention@artusa.org About AFTACON 2026 Set against the beauty and cultural richness of New Mexico, AFTACON 2026 gathers the administrators, advocates, and artists shaping arts and culture across the nation. Throughout the event, we’ll learn from one another, forge meaningful connections, and organize for lasting impact. Together, we will leave united, inspired, rejuvenated, and ready to cultivate thriving, creative communities in every corner of the country. We gather at a pivotal moment for the arts and culture sector. Across the United States, the field is navigating profound change: pressures on funding and infrastructure, threats to free expression, and the need to adapt to shifting technologies, audiences, and cultural expectations. These challenges are matched by unprecedented opportunities — to innovate, collaborate, and reimagine the ways in which the arts can strengthen democracy, foster belonging, and drive social change. AFTACON 2026 is where these conversations will happen. Through immersive programming, bold dialogue, and shared action, we will chart a collective path forward for the future of arts and culture. The convention will take place June 2–5, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our home base will be Hotel Albuquerque, with additional events hosted throughout the city and surrounding areas, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the region’s vibrant cultural landscape.