The National Convening on Community Based Practice has passed.
On September 23–25, 2026 University of Texas at Austin Thompson Conference Center, Forklift Danceworks hosted a national convening that brought together 200 artists and community leaders from more than 30 states. Through dialogue and exchange, as well as featured speakers and panels, the convening surfaced shared values, examined tensions, and illuminated new possibilities for the field.
Featured Speakers
Participants and featured speakers included innovative artists and thought-leaders such as Liz Lerman, Stephanie V. McKee-Anderson, Allison Orr, Marty Pottenger, Mark Valdez, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Michael Rohd, Asif Majid, Barbara Schaffer Bacon, Kenneth D. Thompson, Ebony Noelle Golden, Miriam Conner and Heidi Schmalbach alongside policymakers and educators from The University of Texas at Austin and more.
The National Convening Was Presented in Partnership With
The Bailey College of the Environment at Wesleyan University | Frontera Arts | Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin | Austin Community College’s Dance & Drama Departments | Planet Texas 2050
Funders
Celeste Sheppard
Greg Wooldridge & Lynne Dobson
The Meyer Levy Charitable Trust
This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment
Sponsors
Regional Network Partners
Thank you to the following who shared about the National Convening through their networks by providing promotional support, outreach, travel assistance, presenter support, and other in-kind resources that increasd access, participation, and representation from communities across the country.
