Presented by the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, the Conference for Community Arts Education is the preeminent gathering of community arts education providers in the United States. Over 500 delegates--leading more than 350 community arts education organizations in over 45 states, Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands--are expected to convene this year to discuss the latest research findings in community arts education, share information on best practices and emerging trends, and develop and share strategies and tactics for success. The 2008 Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, October 29-November 1.

The conference is the only national event of its kind tailored to address the specific interests and needs of community arts education providers. Sessions led by nationally renowned experts in the field are organized into progressive tracks to provide in-depth training in best practices in Program Development, Assessment and Evaluation; Leadership and Governance; Development and Marketing; and Collaboration and Community Engagement.

This year's conference program will focus on issues of quality, access, collaboration and sustainability in community arts education. The program will also investigate how the arts are effectively employed in the fields of community development, youth development and creative aging. Key topics include determining program impact, internet marketing and making the case for community arts education.

The Conference features a diverse line-up of innovative speakers including Christine DeVita, President, The Wallace Foundation; Josephine Ramirez, Vice President of Programming and Planning, Music Center of Los Angeles; and others.

Three Pre-conference Institutes, on outcome-based evaluation, arts education partnership, and building a career as a teaching artist, are also planned. These full day workshops provide community arts education leaders an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of contemporary issues in the field and develop new skills. Pre-Conference Institutes will be held from 9:00-5:00 p.m. on October 29.

Staff, teaching artists and trustees in community arts education are encouraged to attend the Conference for Community Arts Education. Detailed program, schedule and registration information is available at www.communityartsed.org or by phone at (212) 268-3337 x 10.