Call for Sessions

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Application & Review Process

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Please submit your application through our event platform WHOVA.  We cannot accept applications submitted through email.

 

Application & Review Process Requirements:

‍Your application should include a summary as to how your session aligns with the mission of the Summit of creating new learning opportunities, showcasing unique projects, policy and systems change, multi and inter-disciplinary collaboration, and community engagement.

 

Acceptance will be based on completeness and quality of the application, as well as the following scoring criteria: 

1. Relevance to the theme of Building Bridges: Connecting Communities with Culture and Commerce

2. Relevance to the Summit mission of offering professional development and educational opportunities for attendees 

3. Have a significant connection to arts and culture

4. Adherence to the preferred Summit topics and session format

5. Multi or interdisciplinary collaboration (to include multiple voices and perspectives)

6. Tactical and practical lessons for attendees to take away

7. Originality/Uniqueness

 

Tips to Submitting a Strong Application:

‍Your application should include a summary as to how your session aligns with the mission of the Summit of creating new learning opportunities, showcasing unique projects, policy and systems change, multi and interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement.

Acceptance will be based on completeness and quality of the application, as well as the following scoring criteria: 

• Have a strong and compelling title - choose an engaging and concise title that clearly describes your session

• Create a detailed description of your proposed session that gives attendees a clear idea of what to expect. Include tactical information and methods that lead to work they can return to their stakeholders. If selected, you will have an opportunity to make fine-tune edits before we publish the agenda. 

• Be complete and comprehensive - To make your application more compelling, avoid including placeholder information. Provide adequate details about your session content and speakers so the Session Selection Committee can understand your vision. 

• Make sure your proposed format fits into the Summit criteria for Panel presentations, Case Studies or Hands-on Workshops. Consider including techniques and activities you will use to engage the audience. 

• Check your application prior to submitting by reviewing for clarity, completeness, and spelling and punctuation errors.

 

Applications will be evaluated and scored by the Session Selection Committee, which includes creative placemaking practitioners located throughout the South, Appalachian Region and the Midwest.

 

• Have a strong and compelling title - choose an engaging and concise title that clearly describes your session

• Create a detailed description of your proposed session that gives attendees a clear idea of what to expect. Include tactical information and methods that lead to work they can return to their stakeholders. If selected, you will have an opportunity to make fine-tune edits before we publish the agenda. 

• Be complete and comprehensive - To make your application more compelling, avoid including placeholder information. Provide adequate details about your session content and speakers so the Session Selection Committee can understand your vision. 

• Make sure your proposed format fits into the Summit criteria for Panel presentations, Case Studies or Hands-on Workshops. Consider including techniques and activities you will use to engage the audience. 

• Check your application prior to submitting by reviewing for clarity, completeness, and spelling and punctuation errors.

 

 Tips to submitting a strong application:

• Have a strong and compelling title - choose an engaging and concise title that clearly describes your session

• Create a detailed description of your proposed session that gives attendees a clear idea of what to expect. Include tactical information and methods that lead to work they can return to their stakeholders. If selected, you will have an opportunity to make fine-tune edits before we publish the agenda. 

• Be complete and comprehensive - To make your application more compelling, avoid including placeholder information. Provide adequate details about your session content and speakers so the Session Selection Committee can understand your vision. 

• Make sure your proposed format fits into the Summit criteria of Panel presentation, Case Study or Hands-on Workshop. Consider including techniques and activities you will use to engage the audience. 

• Check your application prior to submitting by reviewing for clarity, completeness, and spelling and punctuation errors.

 

Applications will be evaluated and scored by the Session Selection Committee, which includes creative placemaking practitioners located throughout the South, Appalachian Region and the Midwest.

 

• ONLY one application per applicant(s) – Additional applications will be automatically disqualified

• Applicants will be notified of final decision no later than January 5, 2026

• If selected to present, you will be required to register for the Summit by February 9, 2026, to be added to the official Summit agenda – no exceptions. If you do not register by the deadline or reach out to Summit organizers before the registration deadline, your presentation is subject to being cancelled.

• Selected speakers will receive a 40% discounted rate for the full Summit and honorarium. Honorarium amount will be determined by the total number of presentations and speakers. Honorariums are issued via check by mail within 60 days after the end of the Summit.