About Pathway Committees

Americans for the Arts (AFTA) is seeking visionary subject matter experts, thought leaders, and innovative organizations from across the arts, culture, and humanities sectors to partner with us in designing the future of our field.

We are assembling Pathway Committees for AFTACON 2026 (June 2 - 5), and we invite forward-thinking partners to help us spark creativity, push boundaries, and co-create transformative learning experiences for our national community of arts leaders.

Each Pathway Committee will collaborate with AFTA to curate, design, and guide programming for one of nine thematic learning pathways at AFTACON 2026. These pathways will offer attendees immersive, relevant, and forward-looking experiences that go beyond sharing knowledge.

They are designed to be catalysts for innovation — spaces where new ideas are born, collaborations emerge, and strategies for the future of arts and culture take shape.

The goal is not just to educate, but to inspire transformation, ignite creativity, and foster bold new thinking across the field.

Why Collaborate with AFTA?

Joining a Pathway Committee is a unique opportunity to shape the national conversation about the future of arts and culture. As a Pathway Committee Member, you will:

• Influence how the field approaches key issues and opportunities.
• Collaborate with leading voices and organizations to co-design transformative learning experiences.
• Showcase your organization’s leadership and vision on a national stage.
• Inspire new ideas, collaborations, and strategies that advance the field.