Details
The National Art Education Association (NAEA) invites National Art Honor Society students from across the country to the 2026 NAHS Student Conference: Empowering Future Creative Leaders! This event will take place July 24–26, 2026, in Washington, DC.
The NAHS Student Leadership Conference offers a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of creative leaders and arts advocates. This national gathering brings together high school art students from across the country to celebrate the power of creativity while building confidence, leadership skills, and a shared commitment to supporting the arts in schools and communities.
During the conference, students will participate in interactive presentations and hands-on workshops led by artists, educators, and arts leaders who are shaping the future of visual art, media, and design. Participants will learn how artists lead, collaborate, and advocate, discovering how their creative voices can influence classrooms, communities, and beyond.
Set in Washington, DC, the experience extends beyond the conference venue with guided visits to world-class museums and cultural institutions, providing students with direct engagement with art in a national context. Along the way, students will connect with peers who share their passion, build lasting networks, and envision pathways for continued involvement in the arts.
The NAHS Student Leadership Conference is more than just an event; it serves as a launching point for young artists eager to lead with creativity, purpose, and impact.
Venue: Grand Hyatt 1000 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20001
Student Registration Fee: $175
Chaperone: Registration Fee: $0
Students are required to have a chaperone; one adult may chaperone up to 15 students
Registration Information:
To register for the NAHS National Student Conference, you must be an educator or a parent/guardian registering one or more students. Students cannot register for the NAHS Conference directly. If you are a student interested in attending, please talk to your school’s administration, art educator, or your parent/guardian.
The registration fee is $175 per student and includes two meals. All students under 18 must attend with an adult chaperone; there must be one chaperone for every 15 students. Chaperones must be present with the students during daily events, which run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. If an art educator is interested in serving as a chaperone, they may consider registering for and attending the National Leadership Conference, which will occur simultaneously.
For more information, contact Paula Liz, NAEA’s Youth and Preservice Program Manager, at pliz@arteducators.org.