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Art has the power to unite thought, movement, and inner life—engaging the whole human experience. This year’s conference theme explores the integration of mind (critical thinking, perception, imagination), body (movement, material engagement, sensory awareness), and spirit (meaning, identity, purpose, connection). As classrooms evolve to address student wellness, cultural awareness, and holistic learning, art education remains uniquely positioned to nurture the full self. Through artistic practice, educators and students alike can cultivate presence, empathy, resilience, and creative agency. This conference will serve as a space for reflection, renewal, and inspiration—honoring both the rigor and the restorative power of art-making.
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| 2026 CALL FOR WORKSHOPS |
NYSATA seeks workshop proposals for the 2026 NYSATA Conference. We invite art educators to explore teaching and learning as an embodied, mindful, and deeply human practice. Consider a proposal that centers on the interconnected relationship between mind, body, and spirit and the ways artistic practice can foster awareness, wellness, identity, and meaning—for both educators and students. Proposals may address, but are not limited to:
- Studio practices that integrate mindfulness, body engagement, or personal meaning-making
- Art education approaches that support social-emotional learning and mental wellness
- Culturally responsive, reflective, or identity-centered art practices
- Movement, performance, and kinesthetic learning in visual art education
- Neuroscience, cognition, and creative thinking Healing, restorative, and trauma-informed art practices
- Sustainability, balance, and self-care for educators through creative practice
- Student-centered strategies that nurture voice, agency, and purpose
- Cross-disciplinary approaches connecting art with wellness, science, or humanities
Workshops may be 50 or 110 minutes and should offer hands-on engagement, practical strategies, and clear classroom or community applications. Proposals are welcome from educators at all levels—preK–12, higher education, museum education, and administration, as well as preservice teachers and retired educators. Let us awaken awareness, deepen connection, and honor our creative spirits as we learn together. Together, we will explore how art-making engages cognition, embodiment, emotional intelligence, cultural consciousness, and reflective practice across all learning environments. Deadline for workshop proposals is May 1, 2026. More information at www.nysata.org/2026-conference.
Proposal Deadline May 1
Notification of Acceptance June 1
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2025 REGISTRATION RATES AND DETAILS
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| 2025 rates appear below. 2026 registration and meal rates will be approved by the board and post in April. Links are updated as information is available. |
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REGISTRATION RATES * 2025
NYSATA Member (Includes District Members)
Early Bird: $169
After November 1: $199
Full Time Student, Retired, or Unemployed Member
Verification may be required.
Early Bird: $130
After November 1: $160
Non-Member
$255 (no early bird rate)
*Friday and Saturday AM Continental Breakfast Buffet Included with Registration
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MEAL RATES* 2025
Full Meal Package: $230
Friday Lunch Buffet: $35
Friday Dinner: $55
Saturday Lunch Buffet: $35
Saturday Plated Dinner: $65
Sunday Brunch: $40
*Meal pricing includes appetizer, entree, dessert, and required 22% service charge.
CLICK HERE for Cancellation and Refund Policy
CLICK HERE for a letter of support to share with administrator
CLICK HERE for 2026 Conference FAQ
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| Register |
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Register here for conference workshops, meals, and/or special ticketed events. Please be sure to secure any permissions needed from your school district prior to registering.
- Log in with your member Username and Password for member price. Membership needs to be current at the time of the event to receive the member rate.
- Membership expired or about to expire? Renew and register in one form!
- Pay with a Credit Card, mailed check, or school PO.
Registration Opens September 1
CLICK HERE for Cancellation and Refund Policy
Registration or payment questions?
[email protected]
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Paying with a school PO?
- Get school district approval FIRST; know what fees the district agrees to cover.
- Log in and register yourself online. Choose registration and any meal options or ticketed events you wish to attend. Choose the PAY LATER option for payment.
- You'll get an email confirmation and invoice with detailed payment instructions and address.
- Attach a printed or digital copy of your registration confirmation or invoice to the PO. PO must be received prior to the start of the event.
- You are responsible to pay any remainder not covered by your school district.
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| Hotel Reservations |
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Conference Hotel: Albany Crowne Plaza (Desmond) Hotel, Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY
Booking Link:
Room Rate:
CLICK HERE for more Albany Airport area hotels.
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| AT-A-GLANCE SCHEDULE (subject to change) |
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Thursday, November 20
9 AM–4 PM Preconference
Friday, November 21
8–10 AM Continental Breakfast (Vendor Area)
8–9 AM Commercial Exhibitors Exclusive
8 AM–1 PM Commercial/College Exhibition
10 AM–1 PM Workshops
11 AM–2 PM Lunch (Timed Tickets)
1–2 PM Super Session I
2–5 PM Workshops
5:30–6:30 PM Regional Hospitality
6:30–8:30 PM Awards Dinner
(Special Citation Non-Member, Special Citation Business & Institution, Student Scholarships)
8:30–10 PM Artisan Market
9–11 PM After Dark Event (Ticket Required)
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Saturday, November 22
8–10 AM Continental Breakfast (Vendor Area)
8–9 AM Commercial Exhibitors Exclusive
9–10 AM Super Session II
9 AM–1 PM Commercial/College Exhibition
9 AM–1 PM Workshops
11 AM–2 PM Lunch (Timed Tickets)
2–5 PM Workshops
1–2 PM Super Session III
5:45 PM Member & Student Art Exhibit Opening
6:30 PM–9:00 PM President’s Reception & Dinner
(Outstanding Service, NYS Art Educator of the Year)
9–12 PM Dancing to D.J
Sunday, November 23
9–10 AM Super Session IV
10 AM–12 PM Region Awards Brunch
(Regional Art Educators of the Year, Vendor Raffle)
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| FEATURED EVENTS |
| Keynote Speakers |
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Wanda B. Knight, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Art Education, African American Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Professor-in-Charge of Art Education
Penn State University, State College, PA
Friday 1 PM Supersession Keynote Speaker
Read more...
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Saturday 9 AM Supersession Keynote Speaker
Read more...
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Saturday 1 PM Supersession Keynote Speaker
Read more...
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Sunday 9 AM Supersession Keynote Speaker
Read more...
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| Workshops |
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Workshop opportunities include hands on, lecture, and round-table discussion format in addition to engaging keynote sessions and time to connect with colleagues. Attendance verification and CTLE credit available for up to 16 CTLE hours.
Approximately 100 workshops are offered with no advance selection necessary; some have a supply fee for full participation (see descriptions); a small selection are ticketed for a fee (extended hands-on). Please read workshop descriptions and materials requirements/recommendations carefully prior to registering for Ticketed Workshops. Preregistered and ticketed events are not refundable.
CLICK HERE for workshop options and details.
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| Friday After Dark |
Please join us Friday 9-11:00 PM for an evening of fun, artmaking, and connection.
CLICK HERE for details. |
| Members' Exhibit |
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Participation is FREE to all NYSATA Members who donate work (you don't need to register for the conference to contribute)! Please consider participating in this Members’ Exhibit opportunity, held both in person AND virtually. Work submitted must be 10”x10” in size and may be designated as “not for sale” or donated for auction to benefit the NYSATA Scholarship Fund. 3-D work is accepted this year!
CLICK HERE for details.
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| Student Exhibit |
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Participation in this physical, onsite exhibit is FREE to all NYSATA members who register for the conference!
CLICK HERE for details.
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| Artisans' Market |
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Participation is $25 per artisan for NYSATA member conference attendees. Onsite show and sale will take place at the Doubletree Hotel, Binghamton, on Friday 8:30-10:00 PM. Artisans are responsible for their own sales, shipping and any applicable sales tax.
CLICK HERE for details.
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| Commercial and College Exhibits |
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Our exhibitors have really stepped up this year with workshop sessions, product demonstrations, conference swag, and door prizes. There will be plenty of time to find out about new ideas, products, and ways of working with your students, both in person and remotely. Please visit our exhibitor’s Virtual Booths and thank them for their generous support.
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| ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION & CTLE CREDIT |
| NYSATA is an approved CTLE sponsor. Attendees will be provided with a tracking sheet to document their CTLE hours. CTLE certification can be obtained after the conference by inputting the CTLE tracking information in our CTLE Certification Form
USE THE CTLE PROCESS to VERIFY YOUR ATTENDANCE to YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT even if credit is not needed. Please check with your district for any prior approval necessary.
See the Conference CTLE Credit page for more information.
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| COMMERCIAL & COLLEGE EXHIBITORS SHOWCASE |
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We welcome commercial, college, and non-profit exhibitors whose products and services are targeted to art educators. For maximum exposure, be sure to check out our Sponsorship Opportunities. Exhibitors are encouraged to conduct workshops to increase their contact with conference attendees.
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Please contact [email protected] with questions.
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