ArtAround Proposal Guidelines

Please review the following information carefully before beginning your proposal.

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ArtArounds are offsite excursions that introduce conference attendees to local arts organizations, studios, and institutions. They also offer attendees the chance to engage with peer organizations, experience transferable learning practices, discover new and refreshing ways of thinking, and be inspired.

 

ArtArounds are unique opportunities to gain behind-the-scenes access to people, places, content, and ideas, while allowing host sites the chance to share their stories, show off their successes, and take part in a peer-to-peer learning model that AIO attendees consistently rate as one of the most memorable activities of the conference.

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Below are some key details that will help guide your proposal:​

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• ArtArounds take place the afternoon of May 13 from approximately 2-5 p.m. You and your space must be open and available to conference attendees during this time.
   

• ArtAround groups tend to range in size from 25-50 people, depending on the activity/location.
   

• Attendees will travel to ArtAround sites by coach bus, departing from the Graduate Hotel on the University of Cincinnati campus. ArtAround sites must be within a 30-minute drive of the conference hotel. Please note: All ArtAround sites must be located within Ohio.
   

• Your proposal should fill the full duration of the ArtAround timeslot, whether that includes your site alone or partnering with other organizations.
   

• While attendees come from a variety of creative backgrounds, content is curated to appeal primarily to the following audiences. Proposals should offer something relevant and useful to at least one (or all) of these groups:

  • 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

  • Arts education professionals – especially:

    • staff from arts education-focused institutions

    • teaching artists

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Before You Begin the Proposal Form:

• Use Google Chrome to complete the form. It 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.  
   

• Here’s what you’ll need to complete the form:

  • Basic contact info for hosts/host sites and activity leaders

  • Working title and description of your ArtAround (150 words or less)

  • Accessibility and transportation considerations (i.e., bus drop-off/parking)

  • Venue “vibe” photos and photo credits (if applicable)

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Submission Deadline: 

All proposals must be submitted by Friday, September 12, 2025, at 5 p.m. to be considered for the Arts Impact Ohio 2026 conference. All submissions will be notified of their status in November 2025.

 

Please note: Submitting a proposal does not guarantee the proposal will be selected for presentation at Arts Impact Ohio 2026. If your proposal is accepted, OAC staff will work with you to finalize your session title, description, and timing as the event nears.