ARTS Summit 2026
ARTSForward Youth Summit
Friday, February 27 & 28, 2026 | Texas Wesleyan University
LEARN – EXPERIENCE – CELEBRATE
During last year’s inaugural Arts Forward Summit, a high school student asked our Executive Director Wesley Gentle how they could create a similar event for their classmates. Thanks to their vision, our leadership team at Arts Fort Worth, and the hard work of a committee of educators and arts leaders, we’re kicking off the second Arts Forward Summit with an event for the next generation of creatives!
On Friday, February 27, 2026, we will welcome 300 students from Fort Worth ISD, Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD, Keller ISD, and Arlington ISD. We hope every attendee has a wonderful time, learns a lot, and makes great connections.
Schedule for Youth Summit
Friday, February 27, 2026
8:00 a.m. Doors Open, Volunteers, Speakers, Partner Orgs arrive
9:00 a.m. Partner tables are set up and ready for student arrival
Students arrive, check in, take photos, record videos and explore partner tables
10:00 Students arrive
10:05 Opening Remarks – Wesley Gentle (5 minutes)
10:10 Origins of Youth Day and what to expect from the day– Ruby Macnab (5 minutes)
10:15 Icebreaker activity – Statements of Affirmation – 5 minutes
10:20 Session 1: Art degrees offered at local colleges and universities and other groups and activities to engage in to build your personal creative network – 30 minutes
10:50 Q & A with panelists – 15 minutes
11:00 Mayor Parker Remarks
11:05 Lunch with Leaders – Round table discussions with arts professionals – 30 minutes
11:35 Session 2: SCAD presentation – 7 Lessons for Dreamers and Makers – 45 minutes
12:20 Break – 5 minutes
12:25 Session 3: Careers in the Arts and Pathways to Success – featuring Mouty Shackelford, Jesse Cannon II, Joe Brown and Emi Matsushita, 30 minutes
Q & A with panelists – 15 minutes
1:10 National Honors Society – Student led activity to develop artist statements that will become part of a collaborative art activation – 30 minutes
12:40 Buses begin to depart
COME LEARN, EXPERIENCE, AND CONNECT
Arts Fort Worth believes in making the arts accessible to everyone. Inspired by local and national arts organizations, the tiered ticketing system ensures that anyone who wants to attend can do so:
- Discount Saturday Ticket: $25 for those with limited financial means at the time of purchase.
- Standard Saturday Ticket: $50 helps cover the cost of the event.
- Pay-It-Forward Ticket: $125 allows you to contribute toward discounted tickets, helping others experience the summit.
- Heart of Gold Reception: $100 for Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. at our annual Heart of Gold awards ceremony to recognize leaders in the arts. Enjoy heavy appetizers and drinks before celebrating movers and shakers across the arts scene!
ARTSforward 2026 is made possible through the Generous Support of our Sponsors
Arts Fort Worth would also like to recognize the generous contribution by Joe and Ginny Tigue.
With Support From
