Conference Overview
STP&A is an interdisciplinary gathering of researchers, policy-makers, practitioners and students that explores key trends, practices and policy issues affecting the arts around the world. STP&A is the oldest and one of the most influential academic gatherings of researchers and practitioners in the field of arts management and cultural policy. STP&A participants are drawn from a broad range of disciplines including, but not limited to: political science, sociology, economics, law, arts management, arts education, art history, museum studies, cultural studies, education, and policy studies as well as arts managers and artists. The conference is affiliated with the Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society (JAMLS), which has been an authoritative peer-reviewed journal in arts management and cultural policy for more than 40 years.
The STP&A conference is collaboratively hosted by STP&A and a local host or a partnership of local hosts. STP&A traditionally hosts its conferences at, and in collaboration with, a university or cultural organization that shares in STP&A’s mission. The STP&A conference is typically a three day event comprised of a mix of paper presentations, panels, keynote speakers, and social events shaped and programmed to foster knowledge exchange and connections amongst scholars, practitioners, and students from an array of disciplines working and studying within the fields of arts management and cultural policy research. Additionally, some local conference hosts also chose to include cultural tours and special events as part of the conference schedule. STP&A has a long and rich history of bringing together an interdisciplinary community of researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students to explore and inform key trends, practices and policy issues affecting the arts around the world. Learn more about STP&A’s conference history.
Conference Management
Overall responsibility for the functioning of STP&A conferences is vested in both the STP&A Board of Directors and in Local Conference Host. Hosting a STP&A conference offers the local host significant visibility amongst STP&A’s international community, the opportunity to engage the STP&A community in matters and efforts of particular local relevance that are related to arts management and cultural policy, and the opportunity to highlight research, initiatives, and scholars based at the local hosting university or organization. The Local Conference Host plays a vital role in the conference’s success by leading the research and determination of conference facilities, accommodations, reception, and dinner locations. STP&A will work collaboratively with the local host to make the conference special to the host institution and community.
STP&A will collaborate with the local host to shape the overall conference and its programming. The Local Conference Host is responsible for appointing a local host committee to handle local activities and logistical support. This may include a welcome reception, hospitality events, student volunteers, and connections to local speakers and/or dignitaries. This committee will work closely with the STP&A Board of Directors’ Conference Committee, which is responsible for a number of activities, conversations, and functions in advance of and during the conference – all with the primary goal of creating a conference event that is beneficial for STP&A members and all conference attendees. Read more about the expectations of the Local Conference Host and collaborative conference planning with STP&A.
Submit a Conference Host Proposal
Proposals to host a STP&A conference should be submitted at least two to three years in advance of the applicant’s earliest intended year to host. Proposals should be submitted to info@stpaconference.org along with relevant supporting materials by April 1st each year. Interested applicants are welcome to reach out STP&A with questions or to express interest at any time.
Proposals are to include:
- Completed Conference Host Proposal Form
- Supplemental materials in support of the completed Conference Host Proposal Form
Questions about submitting a proposal to host a future STP&A Conference? Email info@stpaconference.org