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Programs » Annual Conference

CAA Annual Conference: Important Information

Since 2023 the Annual Conference has included in-person and hybrid sessions, along with our Book and Trade Fair and special events. CAA continues to improve the Annual Conference experience using feedback from conference attendees and participants. For proposal forms and timeline, please see this page. We look forward to seeing you in 2027.

CONFERENCE FORMAT

  • Most sessions and events, including Convocation, Annual Artist Interviews, the Distinguished Scholar Session, and Committee Meetings will be held in person, while a portion of the program will be hybrid.
  • Beginning in October, conference registrants will be able to sign in to the online schedule to view session and presentation abstracts. The schedule is subject to minor changes.
  • As CAA has done since 2021, conference recordings will be available to registrants for a number of weeks after the conference.
  • Details regarding recording permission and the length of the access period will be included in the 2027 Participation Agreement, which accepted participants will find in their Speakers' Corner beginning in July.

Types of events held at the conference

  • The conference includes sessions, workshops, meetings, receptions, the Book and Trade Fair, and our special events; Convocation, the Distinguished Scholar Session, Annual Artist Interviews. It also includes select offsite events hosted by CAA's constituents and sponsors.

Conference Participation Rules

  • CAA is a forum for new work and scholarship. Session and presentation content must be original and may not have been published previously or presented at another scholarly conference. Workshops must serve the needs of CAA's constituencies.
  • You may submit a proposal before joining, but all accepted session participants must hold an active Individual Membership through the conference dates. Join as a member or bring your account current at this link.
    • New or lapsed members may create or update a CAA account prior to joining. Complete all steps before payment in order to submit a proposal before becoming a member.
  • Registration: All session participants must also register for the conference and will receive the participant rate.
  • CAA is a membership organization. Joining connects you to the largest community of visual arts professionals. CAA members shape the conference program, and participation in the Annual Conference is one of the benefits of membership.
  • Participation Limits: Each participant may engage in the conference in up to three roles but may serve in any single role only once per conference. Current roles:
    • Session Chair or Workshop Leader
    • Paper/Project Presenter
    • Session Discussant
    • If you have multiple accepted submissions in the same role, you must withdraw all but one.

Sessions and presentations

  • CAA Annual Conference sessions are 90 minutes long. Session chairs must plan session time carefully and clearly communicate expectations to all participants.
    • CAA recommends a maximum of two chairs, one optional discussant, and up to four presenters. This typically allows each presenter about 15--18 minutes, plus time for introductions and discussion.
    • Chairs should consider the significant preparation and travel commitments participants make when dividing session time.
  • Presenters should expect their chair to request a paper or presentation in advance of the conference. Chairs should communicate with participants multiple times before the conference.
  • Chairs should consider the significant preparation and commitment participants make when dividing session time.
  • Some chairs may structure sessions using very short lightning-round presentations. This format requires clear communication, strong chairing experience, and strict time management. Standard participation rules still apply.
  • Applicants to the CAA-Getty International Program and Getty Alumni Session must submit an Individual Presentation and complete program-specific questions in the form. Applicants should review the eligibility requirements provided on this page.
  • CAA collects only submission information and abstracts during the review process and later collects presentation files such as PPTs. Images uploaded with proposals are used only for review purposes. CAA does not collect finished papers.

Participation agreement

  • Session chairs, presenters and workshop leaders must read and sign the conference Participation Agreement in their Speakers' Corner. This is separate from granting permission for CAA to record your presentation. The agreement is available in your Speaker's Corner beginning in July. Please watch for emails from caa@confex.com.
  • Session discussants are not required to sign the participation agreement as they do not give formal presentations, and their remarks are considered part of the session discussion and therefore not recorded. Discussants who wish to share a presentation or be recorded should have their session chair notify CAA as soon as possible via info@collegeart.org.

Conference Recordings

  • Granting permission to record your presentation is optional. After acceptance, session participants may choose in their Speaker's Corner not to have their presentation recorded and may still fully participate. In this case, only live attendees, whether in person or via Zoom, will hear the presentation.
  • CAA encourages participants to allow recording, as it increases access for conference registrants around the world and extends the reach of your work. Recordings are also archived by CAA in accordance with the Participation Agreement.
  • How recordings are used:
    • Recordings are captioned and posted in the Conference Schedule for access by registered attendees.
    • Recordings are managed according to the Participation Agreement, which is updated each cycle and available to accepted participants in Speakers' Corner beginning in July. Recordings are archived and may be used in future promotion of the Association or the Annual Conference.
    • CAA cannot distribute recording files.

Promotion and marketing

  • Promotion of a commercial product or service is not allowed as part of your session or presentation. However, all participants should promote and market their session or presentation through their personal and professional networks.

Health and Safety

  • CAA and our Annual Conference partners are committed to following the most current safety protocols applicable to in-person convenings leading up to and during the conference. Please read CAA's recently updated Code of Conduct on this page. CAA is also monitoring guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), as well as local guidance. Updated health and safety information will be shared closer to the conference as needed.

TIMELINE

Example of a submission cycle:

  • March 15: Call for Proposals period begins; submission forms open.
  • April 25: Deadline for session, workshop, and presentation submissions.
  • May--June: Proposals reviewed by the CAA Council of Readers and then the Annual Conference Committee.
  • Mid-July: Submitters notified of acceptance or rejection.
  • July: Affiliated Society Business Meeting & Reunion or Reception request forms open.
  • July 27: Call for Participation (CFP) opens; applicants submit papers or presentations directly to chairs of accepted sessions soliciting contributors.
  • August 31: Deadline for CFP submissions.
  • September 11: Deadline for chairs to invited selected applicants to participate in their sessions.
  • September 16: Deadline for chairs to notify applicants of decisions by email and finalize sessions.
  • Early October: Registration opens, and conference schedule is announced.
  • December 5: Access accommodation requests for in-person and/or remote participants due to CAA.
  • February: CAA Annual Conference. See upcoming dates at this link.
  • See the history of past CAA Annual Conferences at this link.

Updated July 15, 2026.