Submit A Session Proposal
Amanda Shea performing at a podium. Triangles in the bottom left are decorative.
Join us as a Creative Sector Summit Session Leader
MASSCreative is proud to host Massachusetts’ second annual Creative Sector Summit on Friday, June 6, in Northampton. The one-day convening will feature workshops, panel discussions, and trainings exploring activism, advocacy, and civic engagement in the creative sector.
This year, we will focus on MEETING THE MOMENT: CREATIVE ADVOCACY & CULTURAL ORGANIZING FOR STRONGER COMMUNITIES.
MASSCreative seeks session proposals that support innovation, ideation, and thought exchange on how the creative sector can build coalitions, solidarity, and political power for the communities we serve. Whether you are a community organizer, artist, advocate, creative worker, administrator, or educator, we want your experience and insights.
Applicants of all ages, artistic disciplines, community spaces, and approaches are encouraged to apply by May 14, 2025 at 5 PM.
LEARN MORE
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The Creative Sector Summit 2025 will be held at Northampton Center for the Arts in the city of Northampton on Friday, June 6 from 10 AM - 5 PM.
Doors will open at 10 AM for networkng and a light breakfast. The formal program will begin at 11 AM.
The event will feature an opening session for all participants, followed by 16 breakout sessions, and a closing keynote address.
Each session is 45 minutes long. -
The deadline to submit session proposals is May 14th at 5 PM.
Offers to present will be made by May 21st at noon (we request that applicants accept their offers by noon on May 28th).
Public announcements of workshops and sessions will be made on May 28th. -
The Creative Sector Summit will include sessions in the following formats:
Workshop: a learning session that involves skills-building, practical examples for implementation, or training for participants. Hands-on or participatory opportunities are encouraged.
Panel discussion: a moderated conversation featuring subject matter experts.
Guided conversation: an opportunity for participants to exchange information, knowledge, and/or ideate on a topic through a structured discussion led by a facilitator.
You will be asked to select which format best describes your proposed session in the submission form. -
To recognize the labor and expertise of workshop leaders and panelists, we are proud to offer the following:
Workshop leaders / Presenters: $300 honorarium and complimentary registration to the Summit. If the proposal submitted is for co-presenters, an additional $150 will be added to the honorarium. We can support workshops with up to 3 co-presenters.
Panel moderators: $200 honorarium and complimentary registration to the Summit.
Panelists: $100 honorarium and complimentary registration to the Summit, with a limit of 3 panelists (not including the moderator).
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Proposals will be reviewed and selected by MASSCreative staff.
We are seeking proposals that focus on, but are not limited to:Community organizing
Issue advocacy
Lessons and insights from other sectors or issue areas
Building strong and sustainable partnerships
Coalition building for advocacy and political efforts
Leadership in civic education and engagement efforts
To meet the needs of the creative sector, we will select proposals intended for one or more of the following audiences:Nonprofit / 501(c)(3) cultural organizations
Independent artists and creative workers
Locally owned and operated for-profit creative businesses
Arts educators
Culture bearers
Arts administrators of color
Emerging / early career arts professionals
We are committed to elevating the diversity of Massachusetts’s creative sector. We will curate the Creative Sector Summit to ensure a diversity of perspectives, lived experiences, and approaches are represented.
