ArtEZ to host ELIA Conference in 2026 in Zwolle
- Fine Art
- Design
- Music
- Dance
- Theatre
- Architecture and...
- Education in Art
In 2026, ArtEZ will proudly host the biennial ELIA Conference in Zwolle. This exciting news was announced during the ELIA conference in Milan on November 22. It is a great honor for ArtEZ and the city of Zwolle to welcome hundreds of arts education professionals from across Europe.
What is ELIA?
ELIA, the European League of Institutes of the Arts, is a leading European network for higher arts education. Representing over 250 institutions in 47 countries and more than 300,000 arts students, ELIA provides a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation across all artistic disciplines. The biennial conference is the highlight of ELIA’s activities, bringing together arts education professionals worldwide to discuss the future of art and education.
A significant responsibility for ArtEZ
Bob Verheijden, Director of the Academy of Art & Design Zwolle, looks forward to organizing this major event on behalf of ArtEZ: "It is an incredible honor for ArtEZ to host the next ELIA Conference. As an arts university with a wide range of disciplines, ArtEZ is an important partner within the European network of arts institutions. We view it as a meaningful responsibility to contribute to this network from our broad perspective. We are proud to realize this on behalf of ArtEZ in Zwolle."
Collaboration among ArtEZ’s Zwolle academies
The 2026 conference will be hosted by ArtEZ’s three academies in Zwolle, the ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Zwolle, the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle and the ArtEZ Academy of Theatre & Dance in Zwolle. This unique collaboration highlights the strength of ArtEZ in Zwolle as a hub for arts education and creativity.
Preparations are underway
While 2026 may seem far off, preparations for this large-scale event are already in full swing. The goal is to create an unforgettable experience for all attendees and to firmly position Zwolle as an international creative hotspot.