Session Proposal Guidelines​

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Dates and Location 

• Dates: May 12-14, 2026

• Location: Graduate by Hilton Cincinnati, 151 Goodman Street, Cincinnati, OH 45219

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Session Topics and Content

We’re looking for 60-minute workshop session proposals designed to share best practices or engage participants in a skill-building activity. Arts Impact Ohio workshop sessions should be designed to fulfill one or multiple conference goals, as previously listed. Proposals should speak to the needs of a wide audience and offer actionable or replicable content through a conceptually strong perspective.

 

Workshops may be led by a single presenter, two co-presenters, or panels of up to three presenters. Sessions typically consist of 45 minutes of content, followed by 10 minutes for audience questions, with the remaining five minutes dedicated to introductions and housekeeping. Each session accommodates about 60 attendees.

 

While creative professionals of all types and experience levels are welcome, Arts Impact Ohio workshop content will be curated to appeal primarily to:

 

• Administrators of organizations in all arts genres – especially those from:

  • small organizations

  • mid-sized organizations

  • rural and other communities that would benefit from greater access to the arts

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• Arts education professionals – especially:

  • staff from arts education-focused institutions

  • teaching artists

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Focus Areas

For 2026, the Ohio Arts Council is particularly interested in content in the following focus areas, and you’ll be asked to identify which your session best addresses:

 

• Audience Development: As communities evolve, so should the ways we listen and engage with each other. Sessions in this area might explore strategies for deepening relationships, reaching new audiences, or fostering a sense of belonging across generations and backgrounds. If your session speaks to connection, cultural relevance, or the role of the arts in driving change, this could be your space.

 

• Organizational Management: Arts leaders — especially in small and mid-size organizations — often find themselves leading while learning. This focus area invites proposals that reflect on the inner workings of all shapes and sizes of organizational life: managing change, nurturing leadership, letting go of outdated programs, and building cultures of sustainability. You might share approaches, lessons learned, or frameworks that help organizations adapt and thrive.

 

• Money Matters: Budgets tell stories, and describe values, pressures, and purpose. If your session addresses challenging funding gaps, shifting revenue streams, or decisions about where to invest resources, this focus area is for you. Sessions might examine fundraising, post-COVID development, or practical approaches to long-term financial health.

 

• Technology: In a landscape shaped by rapid digital change, how do we stay current without losing focus? We welcome proposals that explore tech’s evolving role in the arts, whether through hands-on skill-building, experiments with AI, or new approaches to managing operations. If you’ve found strategies that are working, consider sharing them here!​​

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• Arts Education: Strong arts education is built on strong relationships. In this area, we’re looking for sessions that help teaching artists, schools, and arts organizations work more effectively together. You might consider sharing models for collaboration, strategies for building trust with school leaders, or approaches to demonstrating impact in student wellness and development.

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Session Types

We hope to present a variety of types of sessions. In the form, you’ll be asked which of the following categories best describes the session you’d like to present:

 

A1. Skill Building – Introductory Level – Content designed for those new to the topic

Be prepared to share 3-5 introductory skills that attendees will leave your session with.

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A2. Skill Building – Advanced Level – More advanced content for participants with prior experience that builds on foundational knowledge but dives deeper into new insights or applications

Be prepared to share 3-5 more advanced skills that attendees will leave your session with.

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B1. Case Study: Replicable – A real-world example of a project, program, or initiative that is ready for attendees to put into action themselves

Be prepared to share a specific follow-up step(s) toward replicating or adapting your project that you hope attendees will take after attending your session.

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B2. Case Study: Inspirational – A session that shares the story of a unique and successful project designed to spark new ideas or uplift attendees

Be prepared to share what aspects of your project stood out for their impact on your community.

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C. Resource Sharing – A session dedicated to presenting useful tools or frameworks that attendees can apply in their own work

Be prepared to discuss how attendees will put this tool or resource into use.

 

Curious about past conference content? View the Arts Impact Ohio 2024 agenda.

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Additional Info

• Proposals will be accepted from individuals or groups of up to three speakers.

• You may submit multiple proposals.

• All conference meeting rooms will be equipped with a podium, microphone, LCD projector, and laptop for presenter use. Rooms will be set up for either classroom or theatre seating.

• Presenters will be offered a modest honorarium that takes into consideration costs associated with travel to the conference as well as preparation for and presentation at the conference.

• We realize we are many months away from the conference and that proposals submitted today are subject to change. OAC staff will work with presenters as needed to finesse content as the conference approaches.

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Proposal Review Criteria and Scoring

All proposals are reviewed by the Arts Impact Ohio planning committee. Selected proposals will be those that exhibit strength in these areas:

1. Overall quality (content is well-thought-out, appropriate, and accurate)

2. Target audience appeal (content is highly relevant to one or more attendee groups)

3. Connection to AIO goals (will meaningfully contribute to conference goals)

4. Engagement (presenter will use strong presentation skills, activities, discussion methods, etc.)

5. Originality (presents a unique spin or novel approach)

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Key Dates

• Proposal Submission Deadline – Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5 p.m.

• Proposal Submission Status Notification – November 2025

• Conference Registration Opens – January 2026

• AIO Presenter Best Practices Webinar – March 2026

• Draft Presentation Materials Due to OAC – May 1, 2026

• Arts Impact Ohio 2026 Conference – May 12-14, 2026

 

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Before You Begin the Form

• ​​In addition to the information noted in the guidelines, you’ll also need to upload a headshot, bio, and contact information for each presenter.

• Use Google Chrome to complete the Session Proposal Submission Form. The form may not work correctly with Safari or Firefox.  

• Please Note: The form must be completed in one sitting. You won’t be able to save your progress or return to the form later, so gather all required information and materials before you begin.  

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