2022 Call for Proposals

Please join us for the Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts Conference on December 14-17, 2022. This year’s conference is hosted by Hongik University in Seoul, Korea,

Conference Proposals

The STP&A Conference is the oldest and one of the most influential academic gatherings in the field of arts management and cultural policy. STP&A participants are drawn from a broad range of disciplines including 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.

Each year, the STP&A Conference Committee welcomes proposals that address the following topics:

  • Accessibility & social inclusion
  • Arts and cultural participation, marketing, & audience development
  • Arts learning and/or training
  • Arts management, business models, & strategic thinking
  • Arts & technology
  • Arts workforce & labor issues
  • Cultural/creative industries & market structures
  • Cultural democracy
  • Cultural economics and impact assessment
  • Cultural planning & community development
  • Cultural policy
  • Diversity, equity, & inclusion in the arts
  • Festivals & events
  • Heritage policy & administration
  • Indigenous cultural practices
  • Popular & high culture
  • Society & evolving aesthetics

Conference Theme

Additionally, for the 2022 STP&A Conference, we welcome proposals that address the plenary theme: 

Arts and Cultural Governance in Transition

​​The 21st century has seen profound economic, political, and social transitions that have posed new and daunting challenges for arts and cultural governance. At the 2022 STP&A Conference, we hope to hear from some of the foremost thinkers and practitioners in our field on their visions for a stronger, more vibrant arts and cultural sector worldwide. 

Cities worldwide are confronting the limitations of conventional industrial-oriented policies and seeking solutions that foster dynamic frameworks for partnerships. Arts organizations have a significant role to play in representing communities as they face the challenges of this post-industrial, technology-driven era that has now been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

With this in mind, the 2022 STP&A conference seeks proposals that explore the following questions:

  • What is the role of artists and arts managers in arts and cultural governance in transition?
  • What management and policy initiatives best promote dynamic, forward-looking arts and cultural governance?
  • In what ways can arts and cultural governance contribute to meeting and mitigating global crises?

Proposals will be accepted for papers, panels, workshops, performance-based research, and roundtable discussions.

Proposal submissions will be accepted from April 1, 2022- June 15, 2022.


Paper Proposal
(A 15-minute presentation in a session with other paper presenters.)
Paper proposals may take one of two forms: research or scholarly papers.

  • Research (or data-driven) papers present the results of quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods studies or report the findings of studies that use historical or philosophical methods. These studies are based on original data collection or secondary data analysis. Research paper proposals should describe studies that are fairly mature both conceptually and methodologically, ideally with some preliminary data analysis and findings that are suggestive of the impact and significance of the research. The final paper should be a complete discussion of finalized data analysis and findings.
  • Scholarly (or non-data-driven) papers are essays that present well-developed arguments on philosophical, theoretical, or practical problems in the study of the arts. They are not required to adhere to an empirical research design (e.g., methods, data collection, and data analysis). Rather, scholarly papers pose critical questions, synthesize divergent bodies of literature, or elaborate new theoretical or conceptual frameworks.

Final papers may be submitted to the Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society for consideration in the special STP&A issue.

Panel Proposal
(A 45-minute panel that consists of 3-4 panelists in a singular session.)

In a panel, the session organizers are proposing a complete session that consists of three to four research or scholarly papers that address a particular topic.

Workshop Proposal
(A 60-minute or 120-minute session that offers hands-on activities for the participants.)

A workshop is a hands-on session that features interaction between and among the presenter(s) and the audience to advance knowledge of a particular issue or research problem. Workshops should be designed to be 60 minutes in length. However, you may include a Part I and Part II if you wish to have a 2-hour workshop (with a break between the two).

Performance-Based Research Proposal
(Research presented through performance.)

Performance-based research projects may take the form of art, music, dance, spoken word, or theatrical performance. Proposals should describe how they relate to the conference theme or any of the other appropriate topics.

Roundtable Discussion
(Lead a 45-minute discussion based on a topic.)

Roundtables provide an opportunity for scholars to share information regarding their research in an informal, conversational format with interested persons. Accepted proposals will be assigned to a numbered table in a large meeting room. The roundtable chair will facilitate participation, but there will be no formal presentations. Given the informal structure of the roundtable, no audiovisual equipment will be provided.


Proposal submissions will be accepted from April 1, 2022- June 15, 2022.

The 2022 Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts Conference will be hosted at Hongik University in Seoul, Korea, December 14-17, 2022.