Celebrate the Arts- Call for Proposals

Call for Workshop Session Proposals!
DESE invites you to submit a workshop session proposal. Reviews occur on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested parties to apply early to receive priority selection! All proposals are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 3, 2026. 

Eligibility:
All individuals/organizations who serve PreK-12 arts education in Massachusetts. Individuals/organizations who are applying to present cannot engage in solicitation of any kind during the workshop sessions of this event.

Take this opportunity to highlight an area of your teaching experience for PreK-12 arts educators (dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts) in MA.  
We are looking for: 1) Discipline-specific proposals to represent each of the five arts disciplines at the conference (dance, media arts, music, theatre, visual arts). 2) Topical sessions that offer relevance to all teachers in any of the arts disciplines.  For either type of session, areas of priority include:

• Implementing the 2019 MA Arts Curriculum Frameworks, 
• Equity and Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices (CLSP),
• High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM),
• Student Artistic Intent
• Connections to DESE’s Arts Resources (ex. Foundational Skills Progressions in the Arts, Arts & Cultural Vitality Index, etc.)
   

Call for Student Arts Showcases!
In support of creating an event that is truly celebratory of the arts, DESE would like to highlight the great work of our students. We invite PreK-12 arts teachers in MA to submit student showcase proposals from any of the arts disciplines (dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts), including but not limited to student artwork for display, student performances, student speaking/demonstration opportunities, or other student-centered ideas you may have. In acknowledgement that this proposal takes extended planning for an event at the start of a school year, we encourage interested teachers to secure student work and/or student participation prior to the end of the 2025-2026 school year if possible.

Eligibility:
Showcase proposals are only open to PreK-12 arts teachers currently employed in MA public schools.

Selected showcases that require student attendance at the event will require chaperones, and busing will be provided by DESE in the event that school districts selected are unable to provide transportation. Space restrictions apply for artwork/performances; refer to the submission form for details.
 

General Submission Process
Note: Once you begin the online submission process, you cannot save the form. It is important to use the Planning Sheets below so that you can prepare your work prior to starting.

1) Review the Submission Guidelines on the next page.
2) Contact dawn.m.benski@mass.gov with any questions and/or register for office hours to discuss questions about the submission process and/or your ideas.
3) Use the appropriate Word Template Planning Sheet linked below to develop your responses prior to entering the submission form. 

• Workshop Session Planning Sheet
• Student Arts Showcase Planning Sheet

4) Apply by proceeding through the pages of this Submission Form.

Due dates: 

• Session Proposals- Rolling basis by August 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Showcase Proposals- Until Filled (prior to summer vacation 2026 is preferred).

Questions

• Email Dawn Benski, DESE Arts Content Support Lead at dawn.m.benski@mass.gov
• Ask questions and receive answers in real-time about either one of the Call for Proposals by attending an office hour session. Details below.

Celebrate the Arts Proposal Office Hours 
(Registration required at least 24 hours in advance.)
Registered individuals will receive a Zoom link on the morning of the office hour and are invited to drop-in to the session as needed during the provided timeframe.

• June 17th 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• June 29th 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• July 13th 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• July 22nd 4:00-5:00 p.m.
• July 31 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Register for the Celebrate the Arts Proposal Office Hours Today