24th Annual Idea Swap

When

- EST

Where

Mechanics Hall | 321 Main St, Worcester, MA 01608
View Directions

Registration is required and closed on October 22.

The Idea Swap is an annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations to network and share performing arts, literary arts, and film projects that are available for presentation in New England communities. The Idea Swap is an opportunity to develop collaborations and partnerships that will result in applications to NEFA’s Crossroads: Touring New England (formerly known as NEST 3/Expeditions) grant program. 

Each year, NEFA’s Idea Swap attracts over 150 participants from across the region. The online event platform enables participants to submit and view ideas in advance and a select number of project ideas will be shared during the Idea Swap.

How to Share a Project at Idea Swap

Once you have registered to attend this year’s Idea Swap, you can submit your potential Crossroads: Touring New England project now through Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59 PM ET on Whova.

  • By October 15, NEFA staff will be in touch about whether you are selected to present and, if so, what your next steps are. Presenters may be selected to present either in the main session or in simultaneous breakout groups. Even if you are not selected to present this year, your project and all its details will be viewable to all registered attendees on Whova. 

Just want to feature your project idea on Whova? A submission form for project ideas not seeking to be presented live at Idea Swap will be available by early October.

Submit a Project Idea

Please reach out to Audrey Seraphin at aseraphin@nefa.org if you have any questions about submitting a project for consideration.

Schedule 

9:15AM | First Timers Reception
Warm up with NEFA staff and other first-time attendees before the day's general programming kicks off. 

9:30AM | Registration Opens

10:00AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

10:15AM | Creative Connection Today and Beyond
NEFA’s Creative Economy Team will bring the CreativeGround Search tools to life and demonstrate how to find and contact New England’s amazing presenters and touring artists through NEFA’s free, accessible platform – at Idea Swap and beyond.

10:45AM | Crossroads: Touring New England Program Presentation

11:15AM | Concurrent Sessions

  • Project Presentations: Hear from presenting organizations and touring artists about artistic projects seeking presenting partners for engagements across New England. 
    • Try/Step/Trip
      Speakers: Karen Henderson & Johanna Evans, Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College
    • Doug Varone’s Ballet Mecanique, remounted
      Speaker: Liz Keller-Tripp, Global Arts Live
    • Aba Diop Ensemble
      Speaker: Matthew Glassman, Chocolate Church Arts Center
    • 73 Seconds
      Speaker: Lori Jones, Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University
    • Serving Neurodivergent Youth with Educational Theater
      Speaker: Susan Monagan, Collins Center for the Arts, University of Maine
    • Silvia Gribaudi’s GRACES
      Speaker: Holly Jones, Jacob’s Pillow
    • Guitar America – Revolutionaries in Music
      Speaker: Aaron Larget-Caplan
  • Behind and Beyond the Booking: Artists & Presenters in Conversation. 
    Designed primarily for artists navigating the New England touring landscape, this session offers a candid look at how presenters approach booking, what they consider when building relationships with artists, and how artists and presenters can develop stronger working relationships.

12:00PM | Lunch

1:30PM | Mini Swaps
Hear from artists and presenters in informal 3-minute presentations.

2:05PM | Project Presentations – Round 2

  • The Historical Fantasy of America
    Speakers: Matthew Garza & Anthony Andrade, The Haus of Glitter Performance Lab
  • Concerto Mali
    Speaker: Sidy Maiga
  • Vimoksha Dance – Collective History
    Speakers: Chavi Bansal, Vimoksha Dance Company & Andrea Blesso, Boston Center for the Arts
  • Please Don’t Flush
    Speakers: Ashley Yung, Pao Arts Center & Sabina Sethi Unni, Artist
  • Looking Back, Stepping Forward
    Speakers: Nat Seelen, The Boston Festival of Jewish Music & Rachel Linsky, ZACHOR Dance Projects
  • The Gathering
    Speaker: Shakia Barron
  • Wabanaki Stories
    Speaker: Aimée Petrin, Portland Ovations
  • The Triptych/Dream Delivery Service
    Speaker: Ronee Penoi, ArtsEmerson

3:00PM | Networking Reception

Directions, Parking, & Hotel

Directions & Parking 

Accessible Entrance

The accessible entrance is located on Waldo Street. Elevators are located in the ground-floor lobby and provide access to the second and third floors. Idea Swap check in is located on the second floor.

Hotels

There is a hotel room block at:

AC Hotel Worcester, 125 Front St, Worcester, MA 01608 

  • Group rate: $209 USD/night (plus applicable taxes)
  • Reservation deadline: Monday, September 28, 2026

Make a Reservation

There are four other nearby hotel options in the area: 

How to Make the Most of Idea Swap

This event was recorded in October 2024.

Read the How to Make the Most of Idea Swap Transcript

 

Contact

For general inquires and questions about accommodation

Adrienne Petrillo (She/Her/Hers)
Deputy Director, Regional Program Strategy
617-423-1178
apetrillo@nefa.org

Emma Sheridan (She/Her/Hers)
Grants Coordinator & Co-Accessibility Coordinator
617-865-1854
esheridan@nefa.org

The Idea Swap will feature live captioning during the main sessions.  
If you require ADA accommodations, services, or auxiliary formats to support your full participation, please contact us by Monday, October 5. Requests received after this date will be accommodated to the extent possible.

View NEFA's ADA Grievance Policy. 

Project Submissions & Listings on Whova

Audrey Seraphin (She/Her/Hers)
Program Manager, Regional Grants and Initiatives
617-865-1825
aseraphin@nefa.org

Sponsorship

Saejin Priore (She/Her/Hers) 
Development Officer
617-865-1834
spriore@nefa.org


 

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