MASS CONNECT: The World Needs Art
October 17, 2026
Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center
366 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 0156
MAEA is happy to be continuing our partnership with Connecticut Art Education Association (CAEA) to provide a conference opportunity this fall for our members.
Register today
Conference registration is open now through October 3. This includes attending the one day conference, as well as a provided boxed lunch the day of the conference.
Register now through September 15 for Early Bird member registration rates, which saves you over 40% off the non-member pricing. This Early Bird rate is for MAEA and CAEA members, as well as any NAEA affiliate members.
Presenters and co-presenters, please check your email for a registration link so you can receive your complimentary registration.
The full conference schedule and sessions will be available soon on the Sched platform.
Keynote
Jennifer “Jen” Ferrari (M.Ed., M.A.) is a celebrated educator and leading voice in choice-based art education. Based in Massachusetts, Jen partners with young artists to develop learner-directed curricula rooted in student-centered creative exploration. Her classroom expertise informs her research and authorship, focusing on the intersection of Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB), inquiry-based curriculum design, and authentic assessment.
As a former president and current advisory board member of Teaching for Artistic Behavior, Inc., and co-host of the TAB Storytellers podcast, Jen is dedicated to advancing the field through national advocacy and mentorship. Her insights have been featured in SchoolArts magazine and the Art Education Journal, and her debut co-authored book, “What Artists Do: TAB Pedagogy and Practice for K-12 Choice-Based Art Classes” (Teachers College Press, 2026), offers a deep dive into best practices for the contemporary art room for educators at all stages of their career.
A 2025 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year finalist and the 2023 Massachusetts Art Educator of the Year, Jen passionately continues to shape the future of visual arts education.
Call for session proposals
The call for session proposals has closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted proposals. If you have any questions about a proposal you submitted please contact the board at info@massarted.com.
Other Event Details & Accommodations
Join us for the awards ceremony the evening of Friday October 16. More specific details will be shared as they are finalized.
Attendees can stay directly at the Host Hotel. There are a limited number of rooms reserved for a discounted rate of $129 a night for Friday night. If you plan to stay on Saturday as well, mention that and the Host Hotel should honor your request
Call the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center (508-347-7393) to take advantage of the discounted rate – mention MAEA conference.
The room block is available until September 15 or until all rooms in the block have been reserved.
Have ideas for the 2026 Conference?
If you have ideas you would like the conference committee to consider, or if you would like to join the 2026 MAEA Conference Committee, please contact Cari DiCicco at president@massarted.com.