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 8. This includes attending the one day conference, as well as a provided boxed lunch the day of the conference.
Presenters and co-presenters, please check your email for a registration link so you can receive your complimentary registration.
Register today! – The registration deadline has been extended to October 8, 2026.
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.
Funding Request
Looking to get support to attend the conference this year? Use this template to make this request to your admin.
Other Event Details & Accommodations
Awards Ceremony – October 16 at 5:30 pm
Please join us in celebrating these dedicated educators at the Awards Ceremony on October 16 at 5:30 pm at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, 366 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 0156.
A ticket to attend the awards ceremony and dinner is $45.
Please visit the conference registration page to purchase an Awards Ceremony ticket if you plan to attend.
Accommodations
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.
Full Conference Schedule
To add sessions to your agenda, first purchase your ticket on Eventbrite. Then you will be prompted to log into Sched.com, which is our hosting platform.
View the MassConnect: The World Needs Art schedule & directory.