Heinz College to Host Global Arts Leadership Gathering
2025 AAAE Conference Celebrates Confluence of Cultures
Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and the College of Fine Arts are proud to host the 2025 Conference of the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE), Confluence of Cultures, from May 22–25 in Pittsburgh, PA. This annual international convening will bring together leading educators, students, and professionals in arts management for four days of dialogue, discovery, and cultural exchange.
Held on the Carnegie Mellon campus and across some of Pittsburgh’s most iconic cultural institutions, the 2025 conference will spotlight the intersections of equity, advocacy, and creative expression in arts leadership. With keynote conversations, collaborative workshops, and immersive site visits, Confluence of Cultures serves as a dynamic platform for reimagining the future of arts administration education.
“This conference aligns perfectly with the Heinz College mission to develop creative, data-informed, and socially responsible leaders,” said Daniel Green, Director of the Master of Entertainment Industry Management (MEIM) program at Carnegie Mellon and the current president of AAAE. “We are honored to welcome our national and international colleagues to Pittsburgh for an experience that connects learning, leadership, and community.”
The opening keynote will feature an intimate conversation between two writers-in-residence at City of Asylum—Rania Mamoun, acclaimed Sudanese novelist and activist, and Volodymyr Rafeyenko, a celebrated Ukrainian author and critic. Together, they will explore the power of literature in resistance movements and the role of the artist in addressing displacement and conflict.
Other conference highlights include:
- Pre-Conference Events (May 22): Tours and programming at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, City of Asylum, Rivers of Steel, Carnegie Museum of Art, Clemente Museum, and more.
- Teaching Workshop: A dynamic session led by faculty from Carnegie Mellon University, Ohio State, American University, and others, focusing on inclusive and innovative teaching in arts administration.
- Future of Arts Funding Panel (May 23): Featuring Jasmin DeForrest, Managing Director, Creativity, The Heinz Endowments, Traci Johnson, Director of Grantmaking, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Juan Souki, Executive Director at Mid-Atlantic Arts, moderated by CMU Arts Management Director, Jessica Acrie.
- Global Conversations: Creative Rebellion in an Era of Cultural Suppression
While artists and arts organizations contend with escalating economic and political pressures, creative communities are developing innovative strategies for resilience and protest. This panel examines the essential role of arts and entertainment in addressing contemporary challenges faced by artists, cultural institutions, and entertainment industries worldwide. - Post-Conference Excursion to Fallingwater (May 25): A guided tour and lunch at Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic home in the Laurel Highlands.
The closing keynote will be delivered by Sunil Iyengar, Director of Research & Analysis at the National Endowment for the Arts, who will speak on data-driven approaches to arts policy and the imperative for equity in cultural funding.
“As a home for interdisciplinary innovation and equity-focused leadership, Heinz College is deeply invested in shaping the future of the arts through education and research,” said Brett Crawford, Associate Teaching Professor of Arts Management and one of the event lead organizers. “We are excited to host this vibrant exchange of ideas and inspiration.”
Registration is required for all conference events, including pre- and post-conference sessions. More details and updates are available through the official AAAE conference website.
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About Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy
The Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy is home to two internationally recognized graduate-level institutions at Carnegie Mellon University: the School of Information Systems and Management and the School of Public Policy and Management. This unique colocation combined with its expertise in analytics set Heinz College apart in the areas of cybersecurity, health care, the future of work, smart cities, and arts & entertainment. In 2016, INFORMS named Heinz College the #1 academic program for Analytics Education. For more information, please visit www.heinz.cmu.edu.
About the College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University encourages critical inquiry, research and creative production. Our faculty, staff and students cultivate a community of nationally and internationally recognized artists and professionals within our five schools (Architecture, Art, Design, Drama and Music), our BXA Intercollege Degree Programs and Arts & Entertainment Management programs (joint programs with the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy), the Institute for Contemporary Art Pittsburgh and the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry. Learn more at cfa.cmu.edu.
About the Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE)
The Association of Arts Administration Educators (AAAE) is dedicated to advancing an inclusive, equitable, and resilient environment for the arts. As a central hub for knowledge in the field, AAAE supports arts administration education faculty and programs through scholarship, practice, and professional development. Guided by core values of equity and inclusion, community, ethical practice, and advocacy, AAAE cultivates a global network of educators who share insights, research, and strategies to strengthen the field. The organization advocates for the vital role of arts administration in a thriving society and champions the discipline as both a profession and a critical component of the cultural ecosystem.