Mission

Open Engagement is an international conference and platform to support socially engaged art. The conference highlights the work of transdisciplinary artists, activists, students, scholars, community members, and organizations. The conference mission is to expand the dialogue around socially engaged art, as well as the structures and networks of support for artists working within the complex social issues and struggles of our time. This conference is an essential educational resource that delivers workshops to provide attendees with skills and tools to support their work in communities and embedded contexts. Open Engagement is committed to creating a space that is accessible, including: free childcare to conference attendees, ADA accessible venues, and remaining a no cost/low cost platform.

Since 2007 the conference has convened over 900 presenters and over 4000 attendees from around the world to share current perspectives and approaches to this work. The conference presenters are selected from an open call for submissions. Open Engagement promotes multiple ways of knowing and experiencing this work from projects that are enacted at the conference, walking tours, panels, and hands on seminars. The submissions are selected by committees comprised of artists, educators, professionals, and community members.