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Resonance: Collaboration in Practice and Theory 2026 Mid-America College Art Association Hybrid Conference Hosted by Eastern Illinois University March 26th + 27th Online | March 28th on Campus |
Resonance is a natural phenomenon that occurs when an external vibration aligns with a system’s natural frequency, creating amplification. This is why a singer can shatter a glass with the right note, and how fireflies synchronize their flashing into a unified pulse.In artistic and educational contexts, we might describe resonance in other terms: reciprocity, collaboration, exchange, dialogue, synchronicity, alchemy, friendship. Put simply, it’s the mindset of being better together. Artists and educators are continually in conversation with materials, histories, collaborators, and communities. These ongoing exchanges of listening create resonance that amplifies beyond the individual, weaving a dynamic web of art and pedagogy that reflects on our present moment, and can shape our shared future. Hosted by the Art + Design Department at Eastern Illinois University, the 2026 MACAA conference will serve as a site for such resonance to emerge. Through panels, presentations, workshops, and exhibitions, the conference will spark new conversations and amplify existing ones, nurturing collaborative energy across disciplines, institutions, and communities. Join us for this hybrid conference to explore how collaboration resonates through the work we make, the ways we teach, and the futures we imagine. About the Hybrid Conference Virtual sessions will be held on March 26 and 27, and an in-person day will round out the conference on March 28 at Eastern Illinois University. Participants may choose to attend virtually, in person, or both. Session proposals should specify whether they are intended for virtual or in-person delivery and will be scheduled and marketed accordingly. All sessions, regardless of format, will be recorded and made available online to conference participants. |