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Record Breaking Attendance At The 2024 NFHS Performing Arts Conference Driving Innovation and Shaping The Future Of Arts Education

Record-Breaking Attendance at the 2024 NFHS Performing Arts Conference: Driving Innovation and Shaping the Future of Arts Education

BY NFHS ON May 12, 2025 | NFHS NEWS, MUSIC DIRECTORS & ADJUDICATORS STORY, SPEECH DEBATE & THEATRE DIRECTORS & JUDGES STORY

*Links to Conference Presentations and Photos Below*

The 2024 NFHS Performing Arts Conference (PAC) took place from September 23-25, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. This year’s event continued to showcase remarkable growth, building on past successes with a record-breaking number of attendees and a rich lineup of professional development sessions. Over the course of three days, the conference hosted over 120 attendees, representing various fields in the performing arts, education, and administration.

“It’s incredible to witness the PAC continue to grow and evolve,” said Dr. James Weaver, NFHS Director of Performing Arts and Sports. “This year, we welcomed more attendees than ever before, which truly speaks to the importance of this conference. Our goal remains to foster collaboration, innovation, and learning among performing arts professionals.”

Attendees from 40 states, with representatives from 20 national organizations, made this year’s PAC a hub of expertise, innovation, and discussion. The conference featured prominent speakers from state associations, national committees, and educational institutions. These industry leaders provided deep insights into the current challenges and opportunities facing performing arts educators and administrators.

"We were especially excited about the diverse range of perspectives and expertise brought by this year's speakers," said NFHS Music Committee Chairperson Amy Perras. "From leadership and inclusion, to policy, creative industry, and workforce development, the topics covered were timely, relevant, and engaging and will allow us to continue to positively impact the future of performing arts in our schools."

Day 1 of the conference focused on Speech, Debate, and Theatre, offering attendees a variety of sessions tailored to their needs. Workshops highlighted challenges faced by educators in these fields, particularly as they prepare for 2025, and included thought-provoking discussions on student leadership, sustaining support for programs, and bridging the gap between middle and high school education. A standout session featured roundtable discussion that fostered rich dialogue among participants about advocacy and Artificial Intelligence.

Day 2 brought together leaders across all performing arts disciplines for a General Session, starting with a keynote speech by Scott Lang on the importance of the arts in education. Workshops ranged from meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities to understanding the impact of policy changes at both state and federal levels. This day’s sessions underscored the necessity of collaboration among educators and administrators, focusing on topics such as advocacy, building organizational structure, and harnessing technology like Artificial Intelligence in education.

On Day 3, the spotlight turned to music education, offering a series of discussions on the future of K-16 engagement, unlocking federal and state funding, and making millions of music makers through innovative teaching strategies. These workshops guided attendees through these crucial topics, helping educators navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

"This year’s PAC felt like a transformative experience for everyone involved," remarked Dr. James Weaver, NFHS Director of Performing Arts and Sports. "Each session was packed with valuable information, and the opportunity to engage with fellow administrators and educators is something I will carry forward in my own work."

The 2024 PAC featured 24 sessions, each carefully designed to equip attendees with new ideas and actionable strategies to implement in their respective states. As performing arts professionals look ahead, the lessons and connections made during this conference will continue to shape the future of arts education.

“Attendees were truly engaged in the topics that made up the conference programming, from legal issues to inclusion of all students, to building student leaders through participation in the arts," reflected NFHS Speech Committee Chairperson Jana Riggins. "Advocating for support of the performing arts is our number one priority as administrators and program directors. We are ever-inspired by the life-changing impact performing arts programs make in the lives of thousands of students.”