Conference| PEACE Forward: Arts in Education + Partnerships= Possibility

Overview

PEACE Forward is a free two-day professional development conference bringing together educators, artists, cultural partners, policymakers, and community leaders to explore how the arts fuel educational and social transformation. The conference features a keynote address by internationally acclaimed artist Edel Rodríguez and is grounded in the impact of PAC's PEACE Project (Partners in Education, Art, and Community Empowerment).

Key Dates

• August 17–18, 2026
• 9:30 am–4:30 pm each day
• Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

Location

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, Patchogue, NY

Program Structure

• Day One: Practice focuses on classroom innovation and collaboration, showcasing how arts integration transforms student learning and supports teachers and families. Attendees will experience workshops, partnership case studies, panel discussions, and student performances demonstrating the impact of arts-centered education.
• Day Two: Policy connects classroom success to broader systems, examining funding, advocacy, and long-term sustainability.

Who Should Attend

Middle and high school educators, teaching artists, cultural partners, and others working in arts-in-education models.

Program Focus

The conference highlights partnerships that deepen student engagement, expand access to creative learning, and build lasting connections between schools and communities. It supports effective use of the arts in alignment with College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR) and Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CR-S) practices, while advancing more diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environments.

Cost

Free.