FAQ

What does LEAD^®stand for?
Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability

Who attends LEAD^®?
Whether your organization is big or small, your programming is indoors or outside, or if you come from a performing arts center, art gallery, zoo, museum, theater, or park, the networking and information offered at LEAD^® can help you improve accessibility for all of your patrons and visitors.

LEAD^®provides professional development for:
•    Accessibility Managers and Coordinators
•    Box Office and House Managers
•    Outreach and Education Coordinators
•    Patrons and Visitor Services Managers
•    Facilities and Operations Managers
•    Exhibition Designers
•    State and Local Government ADA/504 Coordinators
•    Marketing and Audience Development Directors
•    State Arts Commission/Council Accessibility Coordinators

I am an artist. Can I attend LEAD^®?
The LEAD^® conference does not address professional development for artists with disabilities or arts education. For resources for artists with disabilities, please visit the Kennedy Center VSA Programs page. For information on arts in education for people with disabilities, please see information for the 2015 VSA Intersections: Arts and Special Education Conference.

Is everyone who registers accepted?
Not all registrations will be accepted. Space for the conference is limited and preference will be given to paid staff at cultural arts organizations or cultural arts service or government agencies who are directly responsible for making programs and facilities accessible to people with disabilities. The Kennedy Center reserves the right to decline registrations. In the event that registration is declined, the Center will issue a refund for any fees collected.

Where is the actual conference taking place?
The full conference (August 5-7) will be held at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA – just 5 minutes from Washington, DC. Pre-conference Workshops and evening activities such as the Opening Night Reception and 2015 LEAD^® Awards Dinner will take place elsewhere in the Washington, DC/Arlington, VA area.

Why isn’t it at the Kennedy Center this year?
Simply put, we have outgrown the available spaces. By hosting the conference in a hotel, we are able to maximize your session and networking time by keeping all of the full conference activities and lodging in one place.

But I like the Kennedy Center. Will there be an opportunity to see it?
Yes! We have special opportunities lined up to visit the Kennedy Center for throughout the conference week. See the full schedule for details.

I want to host a session. How do I apply?
The call for proposals for the 2015 LEAD^® conference has ended, however we would love to hear your ideas for next year! Join our mailing list or follow us on Twitter for announcements on the 2016 Call for Proposals date.

If my colleagues wants to attend, do we get a discount?
Yes! Please select the “Team Registration” category during the registration process for the option to register multiple people from your organization. Each person from the same organization will receive a discounted registration rate. Please Note: The team registration rate is only available to staff members of arts or cultural organizations; arts or cultural service agencies; university or college arts or arts administration program staff; and federal, state or local government employees.

I want to volunteer or become more involved, who should I contact?
There are many opportunities to become involved in the planning process or during the event itself. Please email [email protected] for more information.

What accessibility accommodations will be available at the conference?
If you require any accessibility accommodations, please indicate your needs when registering. We ask to have notification of any accessibility needs by July 15, 2015.

All conference locations are wheelchair accessible. To book an accessible hotel room, please select the appropriate room type when making your reservation.

If you have any questions about accessibility at LEAD^® please contact us at 202-416-8727 or [email protected]. We are glad to assist!

I have more questions. Who can I ask?
We are here to help! Please call (202) 416-8727 or email [email protected] to reach a staff member who can give you more information about the conference and answer any of your questions. During the conference, please visit the Solutions Desk near the Registration Table on the 2^nd floor of the hotel.