National Convening on Art and Social Connection
March 19–20, 2026 | Atlanta, GA
Whether you are an artist, researcher, policymaker, healthcare provider, museum professional, or community leader, the National Convening on Art and Social Connection invites you to be part of a growing movement to strengthen connection and belonging through engagement with visual art.
Registration is open through March 12, 2026.
This dynamic two-day event will bring together leaders and practitioners from across the arts, public health, social services, aging, museums, community development, and policy sectors to explore how creative engagement can combat loneliness and build more connected communities.
Organized by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, the convening will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, panels, and breakout sessions designed to inspire bold ideas, foster cross-sector collaboration, and support the development of new initiatives. Participants will engage with innovative arts engagement strategies, share knowledge with one another, and work together to envision strategies that center the arts in approaches to wellness, connectivity, and resilience.
At a time of growing social fragmentation, this convening highlights the critical role of the arts in strengthening our social fabric—and catalyzes new connections across disciplines and communities.
See below for more information on the convening, including goals, registration, and select featured speakers.
View Preliminary Schedule
Registration
Registration is required. Space is limited; early registration is recommended.
Registration includes:
- full access to all convening sessions, including panels, workshops, and breakout sessions;
- access to the museum’s special exhibitions and collection of world-class art;
- networking opportunities with other attendees and speakers, including an evening reception on Thursday, March 19; and
- ongoing access to presentations and attendee information.
Add-On Option: Participants are able to add tickets to the museum’s March Friday Jazz program.
There are a limited number of scholarships available to cover the registration fee. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please complete the scholarship application form by February 12.
Featured Speakers
Featuring keynote addresses by vanessa german and Anne Basting, plus presentations, break out sessions and workshops by led by colleagues from the Georgia Health Policy Center, Emory University, the Museum of Modern Art, Springboard for the Arts, and more.
Convening Goals
Highlight innovative programs from across the country that address loneliness and social isolation using arts-based approaches, including cross-sector partnerships between the arts and health communities
Facilitate constructive exchange among professionals from diverse sectors to share knowledge, identify common goals, and build collaborative relationships
Deepen collective understanding of how isolation affects individual health and societal cohesion—and how the arts can support connection to self, others, and the broader world
Define effective practices by co-creating working definitions of strong arts and social connection programs, along with facilitation strategies that maximize impact
Presented with support from
Generous support is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and The Scott Hudgens Family Foundation
Contact Us
For additional information, email culturecollective@high.org or call 404-733-5034.