ACA offers a range of program types throughout the year—here’s a look at what's coming up this season.

Affinity Groups + Regional Meet-Ups

Peer gatherings designed to spark new connections, mutual support, and shared problem-solving. These groups bring together residency practitioners connected by region, programmatic focus, or organizational role. Interested in starting an affinity group? Reach out to members@artistcommunities.org.

#ResidenciesConnect

Peer networking sessions organized around timely themes and shared challenges. Each gathering begins with a strategy share from field leaders, followed by facilitated, active discussion with colleagues from across the network.

Wisdom Wells

Focused, practical breakouts led by field experts, centered on on sustaining healthy residency programs. Bring your specific questions, exchange tools with fellow practitioners, and expand your professional circle.

Responding with Care: Mental Health Tools for Residencies

Event Date and Time
September 23, 2026 12:00pm - 3:30pm ET

Virtual Event

Green and purple text on a lilac background reads "Responding with Care: Mental Health Tools for Residencies, Sept. 23, 12–3:30pm ET" followed by circular headshots of Katie Hadden and Geoffrey Jackson Scott

Artist residency staff and leaders regularly navigate mental health and psychological concerns among artists, staff, or within the broader residency environment. Responding effectively requires understanding our own responses to stress, recognizing when someone may need additional support, and knowing the limits of our role.

This hands-on training led by a mental health clinician offers concrete tools and approaches for recognizing and responding to psychological distress in your residency community.

Paid program—advanced registration required. 

Register Now

#ResidenciesConnect: Partnerships that Extend Impact

Event Date and Time
October 1, 2026 12:00pm - 1:15pm ET

Virtual Event

How can artist residencies expand their reach, deepen their impact, and open new possibilities—without expanding their budgets? In this virtual session, hear from Vermont Studio Center, SFAI, and Hyde Park Art Center about the partnerships that strengthened individual artists’ careers and stretched what a residency can make possible.

Register Now

ACA Member Orientation + Networking

Event Date and Time
October 13, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET

Virtual Event

A gathering for members new to ACA or looking to deepen their engagement with the network. We begin with member introductions—come ready to share what makes your program unique!—followed by an overview of ACA’s resources and offerings, plus time for questions and peer connection. 

Free + open to any staff of ACA member organizations. Learn more about membership here. 

Register Now

Diversity + Leadership Affinity Group

Event Date and Time
October 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm ET

Virtual Event

A quarterly call holding space for staff and practitioners in the ACA network who identify as Black, Indigenous, or as a Person of Color. Each meeting is an opportunity to gather with other network members, supporting and uplifting one another in this work.

Even if you cannot make this meeting, please fill out the registration form if you are interested in joining future calls. The survey also includes an opportunity to identify topics or questions for discussion.

Register Now

Emerging Program Institute 2026

Event Date and Time
October 22, 2026 12:00pm - October 30, 2026 4:00pm ET

Virtual Event

A green card with yellow, white, and teal text announces the 2026 Emerging Program Institute (EPI)

The Emerging Program Institute (EPI) is ACA’s foundational training curriculum for new and emerging artist residencies interested in launching, developing, or strengthening their programs. For more than 19 years, ACA has offered the only professional development program specifically for founders and staff of early-stage artist residencies.

Paid program—advanced registration required.

Register Now

ACA Member Orientation + Networking

Event Date and Time
November 17, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET

Virtual Event

A gathering for members new to ACA or looking to deepen their engagement with the network. We begin with member introductions—come ready to share what makes your program unique!—followed by an overview of ACA’s resources and offerings, plus time for questions and peer connection. 

Free + open to any staff of ACA member organizations. Learn more about membership here. 

Register Now