Registration FAQ

How can I register to attend the National Performing Arts Convention, June 8-13, 2004?
Registration for one of the core conferences of the participating national service organizations (American Symphony Orchestra League, Chorus America, Dance/USA, and OPERA America) also includes access to all Convention activities on Wednesday, June 9, and Saturday, June 12th (see www.performingartsconvention.org for Convention schedule and registration information).

Each conference will offer pre-conference seminars on Tuesday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 9 for an additional fee, and full programming on Thursday, June 10th and Friday, June 11th.

Registrants may opt to attend an organization’s complete schedule of programming, or register to attend specific pre-conference seminars or conference days. To register for specific days of national service organization conferences, visit the appropriate organization website below. To register for Wednesday and/or Saturday Convention activities only, click here.

The following organizations will hold convenings and special meetings in conjunction with the Convention. Registration and/or attendance at these meetings includes admission to all Convention activities: American Composers Forum, American Music Center, American Guild of Musical Artists, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, Chamber Music America, Meet The Composer, Music Critics Association of North America, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, and Theatre Communications Group.

How much does it cost to attend just the Convention Activities?
Registration for the Opening Plenary Session on Wednesday, June 9 and Cross-Disciplinary programming on Saturday, June 12 is available at $50 for the Opening Plenary Session and Reception and $195 for Saturday's Cross-Disciplinary programming.

Thanks to the very generous support of Pittsburgh funders, a Convention discount is available for residents of 13 counties in the Pittsburgh area. Rates are: $25 for Wednesday’s events and $50 for Saturday’s Cross-Disciplinary sessions.

Registration for Convention activities only is available on the Convention’s website or through Pittsburgh’s arts service organization, ProArts, at (412) 394-3353.

Who should attend the Convention?
Arts administrators who are members of the national arts service organizations, non-member arts administrators, trustees and volunteers of arts organizations, artists, and anyone interested in taking part in a vital week for the nonprofit performing arts in America.

Can you tell me more about the activities of the Convention: the Opening Plenary session on Wednesday, June 9 and the Cross-Disciplinary sessions on Saturday, June 12, and the Closing Event on Saturday, June 12?
The performing arts community will gather at 4 pm on Wednesday, June 9, in the soaring David L. Lawrence Convention Center, designed by the renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, for the Opening Plenary Session that launches the first National Performing Arts Convention. A team of collaborators, guided by internationally-celebrated designer, John Conklin, has created a “performance collage” titled Variations on America — A Work in Progress. The six-section event, featuring performances by a distinguished roster of soloists and ensembles, will use music, movement, text, and images that juxtapose the many ways the performing arts play a galvanizing role in times of celebration, in times of crisis, and in times of change. Drawing on the experience and work of some of America's greatest artists, the program will strengthen our commitment to advancing art's centrality to our lives and our communities, and inspire reflection, discussion, and action throughout the Convention.

Cross-disciplinary programming on Saturday, June 12 will explore over-arching issues in nine subject areas important to administrators, artists, trustees, and volunteers, from all performing arts fields: Arts Journalism and Criticism, Audience Development, Diversity, Education, Governance, New Business Models, New Works, Public Policy and Advocacy, and Research. Session topics address both the intrinsic value of the arts, artists, and artistic process and the instrumental value of the arts in civic, economic, and educational terms.

All sessions will be held in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh and are open to all attendees who have registered either for one of the national conferences or special convenings, or for the Convention activities only.

The Convention Closing Event on Saturday afternoon will feature Bobby McFerrin and a large supporting cast to bring the Convention to a close.

Where can I stay while in Pittsburgh?
Each of the national conferences and special convenings taking part in the Convention have designated hotels in downtown Pittsburgh, both for meetings and accommodations. Please visit their websites for that information.

Convention-only attendees can obtain a discounted room rate at the Courtyard By Marriott adjacent to the Convention Center. For reservations call (412) 434-5551 or (800) 321-2211 and reference the National Performing Arts Convention.

Are there any special travel rates offered to the Convention?
US Airways is the Official Airline of the first National Performing Arts Convention and has provided a special discount for Convention attendees. Please visit the Convention website for more information.

How can I get tickets to the performances that will be taking place during Convention week?
Performance, ticketing, and box office information is listed on the Convention web site as it becomes available.

I’d like to find out more about each individual meeting taking place during Convention week. How can I do that?
A wide variety of conferences, convenings and special meetings will take place during Convention week. Some organizations are having meetings by invitation only and some are open to members and the general public. For detailed information regarding the meetings of each of the participating organizations, please visit their websites:

American Symphony Orchestra League
Chorus America
Dance/USA
OPERA America
Association of Performing Arts Presenters
Theatre Communications Group
Chamber Music America
American Composers Forum
American Music Center
Meet the Composer
Music Critics Association of North America
National Alliance for Musical Theatre
American Guild of Musical Artists

For more information, please visit the Convention website or email info@performingartsconvention.org.