National Convening on Community-Based Practice

Join Forklift Danceworks and their community partners in Austin, Texas this September for a national convening featuring keynote speakers, artist panels, and public events that explore the growing national demand for models that bridge arts, civic systems, and community engagement.

Through dialogue and exchange, the convening will surface shared values, examine tensions, and illuminate new possibilities for the field. Over two days, we will share strategies, stories, and tools for building meaningful relationships between artists and communities.

Participants and featured speakers will include innovative artists and thought-leaders such as Liz Lerman, Stephanie V. McKee-Anderson, Allison Orr, Marty Pottenger, Mark Valdez, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, alongside policymakers and educators from The University of Texas at Austin and more.

Forklift is joined by partners including: The Bailey College of the Environment at Wesleyan University, Frontera Arts, the Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College Dance Department and Drama Department, and Planet Texas 2050.

• New tools and approaches for community-based and collaborative creative work
• Insight into diverse practices across disciplines, sectors, and communities
• Real-world examples of projects in civic, health, environmental, and cultural contexts
• Connections with artists, community members, educators, and partners
• Fresh ideas and inspiration for your own work, research, or community engagement

Forklift Danceworks is a nationally recognized leader in community-based performance, creating large-scale works with civic workers, residents, and institutional partners. Through long-term, embedded collaboration, Forklift transforms complex public systems into powerful, accessible artistic experiences that deepen public understanding and connection. Visit www.forkliftdanceworks.org for more information.

Info: Additional speakers, sessions, and evening programming locations will be announced closer to the event.

Info: Registration, refreshments, and community gathering. Location TBA.

Info: Additional speakers, sessions, and evening programming locations will be announced closer to the event.

Info: Registration, coffee, welcome remarks, presentations, and panel discussion.

Info: Breakouts, facilitated conversations, artist-led sessions, and convening announcements.

Info: Optional off-site dinner, performances, exhibitions, and informal gatherings throughout Austin.

Info: Additional speakers, sessions, and evening programming locations will be announced closer to the event.

Info: Coffee, facilitated small-group conversations, artist-led activity, and featured presentations.

Info: Collaborative discussions, participant sharing, and closing reflections.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Joe C Thompson Conference Center, 2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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