Save the dates for the 6th Annual Kansas Arts Network Annual Conference (previously known as Kansas Arts Councils Symposium) in Wichita, Kansas. The conference brings together emerging and established arts administrators, organizations, and artists from around Kansas to facilitate professional development, partnership, and celebration of the arts in our communities.
The 2026 event is presented in partnership with the City of Wichita’s Division of Arts and Cultural Services.
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Registration is open now via this link. We aim to ensure this conference is affordable and accessible to anyone who is interested in attending.
Members, students, and early-bird registrants receive a 25% off discount. The early bird promo code was available until June 12th. Members or students: contact us at kansasartsnetwork@gmail.com for the registration code.
Registration fees help cover the cost of presenting the conference. Unfortunately, we will not be able to refund any registration fee paid after June 19, 2026. here -
Session Tracks: Registered participants may attend any session, but there are also guided tracks available for targeted interests. Tracks include:
1. Engaging with Youth Track: Designed for educators, community members, and teaching artists who want to deepen their practice through arts integration. This track offers, interactive workshops and case studies of arts educational programming. Participants will explore practical, creative strategies for using the arts to engage youth in meaningful learning and experiences.
2. Individual Artist Track: Geared towards independent artists, this track explores topics such as working with venues, how to monetize your work, public art, and negotiating contracts.
3. Arts Administrator Track: Geared towards those running an arts organization or small business, this track explores topics such as fundraising, business practices, board development, and venue management.
4. General Track: Geared towards anyone in or around the creative sector, this track explores topics such as advocacy, health and wellness, community engagement, and special project case studies.
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Explore the full conference program and schedule to plan your experience, discover sessions and speakers and see everything happening throughout three days of learning, connection and celebrating the arts across Kansas.
View the full conference program and schedule: tinyurl.com/kanconprogram2026
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Our 2026 plenary speakers bring national perspectives on the arts as a driver of community well-being, public policy and cultural impact.
Join us for two inspiring conversations exploring the future of the arts and the vital role artists, organizations and advocates play in building stronger communities.Pam Breaux
President & CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA)How do communities build lasting support for the arts? A nationally recognized arts leader and advocate, Pam has spent decades working at the intersection of arts, policy and community development. Through leadership roles at the local, state and national levels, she has helped advance the arts as a vital part of thriving communities and stronger cultural ecosystems.
Jill Sonke, PhD
US Cultural Policy Fellow, Stanford University | Director of Research Initiatives, University of Florida Center for Arts in MedicineHow do the arts improve health, strengthen communities and shape public policy? An artist, researcher and cultural strategist, Jill's work explores the powerful connection between arts, health and community well-being. Her research has helped advance national and international understanding of the role the arts play in improving health outcomes and strengthening communities.
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KANCon 2026 brings together artists, arts leaders, educators, advocates and creative professionals from across Kansas and beyond to share ideas, build connections and strengthen the arts in our communities.
Explore sessions designed to spark new thinking, share practical tools and inspire action, presented by:Panya Amphone
Marlo Angell
Ryan Baty
Lindsay Benacka
H.B. Berlow
Sarah Bosworth
Lori Bower
Nick Carswell
Emily Cass
Angela Cassette
Geli Chavez
Emily Christensen
Sydney Collins
Pam Curtis
Jessy Clonts Day
Jim DeGood
Jana Erwin
Angie Evans
Jessie Gray
Alisha Gridley
Jacob Handy
Brad Harrell
Micaela Heinrich-Arndt
William Brian Johnson
Alicia Kelly
Jesse Koza
Malissa Long
Dr. Ellen Johnson Mosley
James Ackerley Porter
Richard Renner
Ernest Richardson
Esther Runck
Diane R. Scott
Staci Dawn Schnacker
Tim Stone
Becky Tuttle
Kate Van Steenhuyse
Jenny Venn
Jennifer Wampler
Caitlin Waugh
Curtis Young
Vivian Zavataro -
KANCon 2026 is generously sponsored in part by the City of Wichita, Kansas Arts Commission, KMUW 89.1, Kansas Health Foundation, CityArts, StudioJenVenn, Reverie Coffee Roasters, The Shout, FILI Creative + Ask a Kansan Podcast & Culture Catalysts.
Sponsorship: Join us in helping make this conference possible! Sponsorship helps keep our registration costs low and ensures that artists presenting their craft at the conference are adequately paid for the services. Check out the sponsorship levels available or let us know if you are interested in a custom sponsorship option that suites your organization or business.Sponsorship Information.
Sponsorship payments can be made via this link: https://donorbox.org/kancon-2026-sponsorship or by mailing a check to Kansas Arts Network at 334 N. Mead St, Wichita, KS 67202. Please make checks payable to the Kansas Arts Network. -
Lodging: The Hotel at Old Town is the preferred conference lodging. There is a block of rooms set for the event with a $135-$145 room rate (+taxes and fees). Hotel at Old Town is located at 830 E. 1st Street which is a 6-minute walk to the conference venue, CityArts.
Attendees may book their reservations at any time using this link: Hotel at Old Town .
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Venue: The conference will take place primarily at CityArts located at 334 N. Mead in Old Town Square.
Additional venues within walking distance and field trip excursions are also being planned. -
Session proposals and requests have closed. We will be notifying selected proposals as soon as we can.
Session Proposal or Requests: The Kansas Arts Network, in partnership with the City of Wichita's Division of Arts and Cultural Services, is open to proposals and requests for the upcoming Kansas Arts Network Arts Conference. We cannot guarantee that every proposed or requested session will be accepted, but we will do our best to ensure the conference is as dynamic and helpful for our potential attendees as possible. Deadline to submit: April 30, 2026.