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45th Annual Arts Northwest Schedule at a Glance
October 19 – 22, 2026
(Schedule is Subject to Change)
- SUNDAY, October 18
- MONDAY, October 19
- TUESDAY, October 20
- WEDNESDAY, October 21
- THURSDAY, October 22
Arts NW Board of Directors Meeting
The Grove Hotel
The Arts Northwest Board of Directors gather to discuss current conference, review progress, and plans.
Board Reception for Board Members
The Grove Hotel
An informal gathering for board members to connect, welcome new colleagues, and celebrate the work of Arts Northwest.
Registration Desk Opens
Boise Center
Your conference experience starts here. Stop by the Registration Desk to pick up your badge, grab your program materials, and get everything you need to make the most of the days ahead. Our team is on hand to answer questions, point you in the right direction, and make sure you hit the ground running from the moment you arrive. Don't just show up — show up ready.
Mentor/Mentee Meet Up
Boise Center
Every expert was once a first-timer. This session brings together new conference attendees and experienced industry professionals for a meaningful face-to-face connection at the start of the conference. Whether you're here to share your wisdom or soak it up, the Mentor/Mentee Meet Up is your foundation for a confident, productive conference experience. Come meet your match — and hit the ground running.
Hot Topic Session
Boise Center
The industry is always evolving — and this is where you get to talk about it. This fast-paced exploration of industry topics puts you at a table with a different subject and a leader who kicks off the discussion. You'll briefly share your insight or listen and learn, with hot topics ranging from streaming rights and negotiations to ticket refunds and stakeholder communication. Come with your opinions, your questions, and an open mind. This session moves fast and so does the conversation.
Lunch on Your Own
Boise, ID
You've just hit the ground running — now take a moment to catch your breath. Use this midday break to grab a bite at one of the local restaurants nearby, process the morning's connections, and recharge for the afternoon ahead. Strike up a conversation with someone you just met, follow up on a morning introduction, or simply take a few minutes for yourself. The conference is just getting started — and so are the possibilities.
Come One, Come All! Orientation Meeting
Boise Center
Join us for the opening day orientation meeting — everyone is welcome! Discover the latest updates about the conference and make the most of this initial opportunity to ensure a productive and enjoyable experience. Arts Northwest Come ready to ask questions, get the lay of the land, and set yourself up for the best conference experience possible. Whether it's your first time or your fifteenth, there's always something new to learn — and this is the place to start.
State Spotlight Showcase: Idaho
Boise Center
Arts Northwest is proud to introduce the State Spotlight Showcase — a brand new conference tradition making its debut right here in Idaho. Each year, this dedicated showcase will shine its spotlight on the artists of the state hosting the conference, and this year that honor belongs to the Gem State. These are the artists who call Idaho home, and this is their moment to shine in front of a room full of presenters, agents, and industry decision-makers from across the region. Every year a new state, every year new discoveries — and this year, Idaho's vibrant and diverse arts scene is ready to make its case. Come celebrate this exciting new addition to the Arts Northwest family and find your next great booking right in your own backyard.
Welcome Reception
Boise Center
Kick off the Arts Northwest experience at the Welcome Reception — your first chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new colleagues, and set the tone for the days ahead. Grab a drink, mingle with fellow presenters, artists, and agents, and let the energy of the conference wash over you. This is where the week truly begins — and where some of the best connections of the conference are made before the first session even starts. Come as you are, leave knowing more people than you did when you walked in.
Juried Showcase #1
The Egyptian Theatre
The first Juried Showcase of the conference sets the stage for what promises to be an extraordinary lineup of talent across the week. Carefully selected through a rigorous peer panel process, these artists have earned their spot and are ready to make their case in front of a room full of presenters, agents, and industry decision-makers. This is where your season starts to take shape — pull out your program, take your seat, and get ready to discover the artists that will define your next year of programming. The best is here. Don't miss a single act.
Registration Desk Opens
Boise Center
Your conference experience starts here. Stop by the Registration Desk to pick up your badge, grab your program materials, and get everything you need to make the most of the days ahead. Our team is on hand to answer questions, point you in the right direction, and make sure you hit the ground running from the moment you arrive. Don't just show up — show up ready.
Professional Development Workshops
Boise Center
The most successful people in this industry never stop learning — and neither should you. Our Professional Development Workshops are designed to sharpen your skills, challenge your thinking, and give you practical tools you can put to work the moment you leave the room. Led by industry experts and thought leaders, these sessions dig into the topics that matter most to presenters, agents, and arts professionals navigating today's landscape. Whether you're looking to grow your organization, refine your strategy, or simply stay ahead of the curve, there's a session here that will move you forward. Come ready to engage, ask hard questions, and leave better than you arrived.
Hub Exhibitor Load In
Boise Center
Hub Exhibitor Load In is your dedicated time to get set up, get organized, and make sure your space is ready to shine before the doors open. Bring your materials, arrange your display, and take the time to create an environment that draws people in and tells your story the moment they walk up. A well-prepared booth is your best foot forward — so use this time wisely and set yourself up for a successful conference.
5.0 Showcase
Boise Center
The 5.0 Showcase gives artists and agents who aren't showcasing this year their moment in front of the room — a fast, high-energy session where you pitch your project, perform your art, or both. No filler, no fluff, just the most compelling five minutes you can deliver to a room full of presenters ready to book their next season. Short on time, big on opportunity.
Lunch on Your Own
Boise, ID
Take a breather and recharge on your own terms. Use this time to grab a bite at one of the many local restaurants nearby, catch up with a colleague over a meal, or simply step away and reset before the afternoon ahead. The best conversations don't always happen in scheduled sessions — sometimes all it takes is a lunch break and the right person sitting across from you.
Juried Showcase #2
The Egyptian Theatre
Juried Showcase #2 brings the next wave of carefully selected artists to the stage — each one vetted through a rigorous jury process and ready to make their case in front of a room full of presenters, agents, and industry decision-makers. By now you know how good this conference's talent is, and this showcase is no exception. Stay sharp, keep your program handy, and don't let a single performance pass you by. Your next great booking could be the very next act to take the stage.
The Hub: Open Hours
Boise Center
Welcome to the heartbeat of the conference. The Hub is now open and ready for you to dive in. This is where the real work of the conference happens — browse artist tables, connect with agents, and start the conversations that could shape your next season. Whether you're here to discover new talent, reconnect with familiar faces, or simply get the lay of the land, there's no better place to start. Come with an open mind, bring your business cards, and get ready — the opportunities in this room are just getting started.
Gather for Dine Arounds
Boise Center
Meet up with your group right here and head out together on foot to your restaurant for the night — because the conversation doesn't have to wait until you sit down. The walk over is half the fun. Connect with new faces and familiar ones, get the energy going, and arrive ready for a night of great food and even better company. Your next great partnership might just be walking right beside you.
Dine Arounds
Boise, ID
The conference is just getting started — and so is the networking. Cap off your second day by heading out with a group of fellow attendees to one of the local restaurants near the venue. Dine Arounds are the perfect way to break the ice, get to know the people you'll be doing business with all week, and set the tone for the days ahead. Sign up, find your group, and let the conversation flow. Some of the best relationships at this conference are born over a first-night meal — don't miss your chance to be at that table.
Dessert Reception: Honoring the Arts Advocacy Winner
Boise Center
The conference is in full swing — and this is the moment to pause and celebrate. Join us for a dessert reception as we recognize and honor this year's Arts Advocacy Award winner — an individual whose dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on the performing arts community. A sweet moment in the middle of an incredible week.
Spotlight Showcase
Boise Center
The Juried Spotlight Showcase is an intimate, cabaret-style setting where a peer panel-selected artist or ensemble shares a 12-minute performance in a relaxed and social atmosphere. This is performing arts without the distance — up close, personal, and unforgettable. Come ready to be moved in a whole new way.
Registration Desk Opens
Boise Center
Your conference experience starts here. Stop by the Registration Desk to pick up your badge, grab your program materials, and get everything you need to make the most of the days ahead. Our team is on hand to answer questions, point you in the right direction, and make sure you hit the ground running from the moment you arrive. Don't just show up — show up ready.
Professional Development Workshops
Boise Center
The most successful people in this industry never stop learning — and neither should you. Our Professional Development Workshops are designed to sharpen your skills, challenge your thinking, and give you practical tools you can put to work the moment you leave the room. Led by industry experts and thought leaders, these sessions dig into the topics that matter most to presenters, agents, and arts professionals navigating today's landscape. Whether you're looking to grow your organization, refine your strategy, or simply stay ahead of the curve, there's a session here that will move you forward. Come ready to engage, ask hard questions, and leave better than you arrived.
Block Booking Session
Boise Center
Presenters Only. An exclusive working session designed for presenters to coordinate and maximize their buying power. Attendees collaborate to identify shared artist interests and align touring schedules, making it possible to block book performances across multiple venues. By working together, presenters can reduce costs, strengthen routing, and bring more artists to their communities — turning individual budgets into collective opportunity.
NAPAMA Professional Development Session
Boise Center
Brought to you by the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents Association, this dedicated session is built for artists, agents, and managers who power the performing arts industry. NAPAMA brings its expertise and community to the table with programming that speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities you face in your work — from contract negotiations and artist development to industry trends and best practices. Whether you're an artist looking to grow your career, or an agent or manager looking to sharpen your craft, this is your session. Come for the knowledge, stay for the community.
Lunch on Your Own
Boise, ID
Take a breather and recharge on your own terms. Use this time to grab a bite at one of the many local restaurants nearby, catch up with a colleague over a meal, or simply step away and reset before the afternoon ahead. The best conversations don't always happen in scheduled sessions — sometimes all it takes is a lunch break and the right person sitting across from you.
Annual Membership Meeting
Boise Center
The Annual Membership Meeting is your opportunity to stay informed, get involved, and have a say in the direction of the organization that serves you. Hear updates on key initiatives, financial health, and the programs and advocacy efforts shaping our industry. Connect with fellow members, weigh in on important decisions, and help chart the course for the year ahead. Your membership matters — and this is where that membership comes to life.
Juried Showcase #3
The Egyptian Hotel
The final Juried Showcase of the conference brings another extraordinary lineup of artists before a room full of presenters, agents, and industry decision-makers — each performance a chance to be seen, heard, and booked. Carefully selected through a rigorous juried process, these artists represent the best of what's out there right now. As the curtain closes on this year's showcases, don't let your guard down — some of the most memorable performances are still to come. Pull out your program, take your seat, and make sure you don't leave the conference without seeing what this final stage has to offer.
The Hub: Open Hours
Boise Center
Last chance to make it count. The Hub has been the heartbeat of the conference — the place where deals get started, ideas get exchanged, and connections turn into collaborations. As these final open hours wind down, take one last walk through, revisit the conversations you've been meaning to continue, and make sure you've left no stone unturned. Exchange those final business cards, follow up on the meetings that mattered, and soak in everything this community has to offer before the conference draws to a close. The Hub may be closing, but the relationships you've built here are just getting started.
Gather for Dine Arounds
Boise Center
Meet up with your group right here and head out together on foot to your restaurant for the night — because the conversation doesn't have to wait until you sit down. The walk over is half the fun. Connect with new faces and familiar ones, get the energy going, and arrive ready for a night of great food and even better company. Your next great partnership might just be walking right beside you.
Gather and Grove: Karaoke Night
Boise, ID
The conference sessions are done — now it's time to let loose. Gather and Groove is your invitation to close out the night the right way, with a microphone in hand and your colleagues cheering you on. Whether you're a seasoned showstopper or a first-time performer, all that matters is showing up and having a good time. After all, you're in a room full of people who love the performing arts — so get up there and perform. Great laughs, great memories, and maybe a few surprisingly good voices await. No judgment, just good vibes.
Dine Arounds
Boise, ID
Dine Arounds bring together artist agents and presenters to connect over a meal at one of the local restaurants. Small groups head out into the city, turning dinner into an opportunity to build relationships, spark conversations, and explore new partnerships — all in a relaxed, off-the-clock setting.
Block Booking Session
Boise Center
*Presenters Only* A working session designed for presenters to coordinate and maximize their buying power. Attendees collaborate to identify shared artist interests and align touring schedules, making it possible to block book performances across multiple venues. By working together, presenters can reduce costs, strengthen routing, and bring more artists to their communities — turning individual budgets into collective opportunity.
Coffee and Breakfast: Conference Wrap Up & Showcase Award
Boise Center
End the conference the right way. Gather with your fellow attendees one last time over coffee and a morning meal to celebrate everything this week has been — the discoveries, the deals in the making, and the community that makes this work worth doing. Then stay for the moment everyone's been talking about: the announcement of the Showcase Award, honoring the artist who truly stopped the room. Leave energized, inspired, and ready to take it all home.