Official Notice: Cancellation of the 2020 NASAD Annual Meeting


August 26, 2020

We hope that you and the members of your families and communities are safe and well.

On May 15, 2020, NASAD announced the availability of online registration and provided detailed information regarding the 2020 Annual Meeting. At that time and during the ensuing days, cognizant of the critical issues facing the nation, and art and design administrators and their institutions, NASAD was and has been deeply involved in reviewing current realities and viable options. Throughout this period of fact-finding and consideration, NASAD has maintained its commitment to providing to its members and constituents clear, cogent, and accurate information as it becomes available, and ensuring within its means the safety and well-being of its members and constituents.

After careful and thorough consideration of and attention to issues before the Association at this time, the NASAD Board of Directors voted to cancel all on-site aspects of the 2020 Annual Meeting, including the meetings of the Commission on Accreditation, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors; all pre-meeting workshops; and all professional development sessions, which were scheduled to take place October 10–17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida. The NASAD Annual Meeting is an opportunity for individuals to connect, communicate, and broaden understandings and awareness of salient issues. It is also a time to come together in community. Therefore, the need to entertain a decision to cancel this meeting was approached with great depth of care. Annual Meeting session topics slated for consideration in 2020 which remain relevant will be considered for inclusion in 2021Annual Meeting programming.

Each Annual Meeting serves as a venue which enables the Association to conduct in person its business and provide to art and design administrators information which can assist them to address local and national realities. Although the 2020 Annual Meeting will not be held in person, the Association will conduct through electronic means the business meetings of the membership, Board of Directors, and Commission on Accreditation for the purpose of carrying out their respective responsibilities and duties. These meetings will be conducted in October 2020 during the timeframes in which they were originally scheduled. NASAD also is engaged in implementing pertinent virtual professional development activities. Information regarding these opportunities may be found within the NASAD website under Professional Development Opportunities embedded within the Informed Decision-Making: The Importance of Distillation and Synthesis section of the Leadership: Navigating Difficult Situations and Conditions webpage.

NASAD has worked directly with our good colleagues at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront during these last months to address the provisions of the 2020 Annual Meeting contract. NASAD is appreciative of their efforts and the outcome of discussions. In addition, NASAD is pleased to announce that the 2022 Annual Meeting will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.

Hotel reservations held by those who planned to attend the meeting in Jacksonville in 2020 and registered within the NASAD room block will be cancelled by the Hyatt Regency. Refunds will be sent directly to each individual by the hotel. Should any issues arise, please communicate directly with Lisa Ostrich (lostrich@arts-accredit.org) in the National Office. NASAD will refund promptly paid 2020 Annual Meeting registration fees.

Though we sincerely regret being unable to meet in person in Jacksonville, Florida for the 2020 Annual Meeting, we hold every hope and intention of being together again in St. Louis, Missouri for the 77th NASAD Annual Meeting, which will be held October 13–16, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch.

As always, the staff of NASAD welcomes any inquiries and stands ready to provide assistance to individuals and institutions. Thank you for the kind patience each of you has offered as NASAD has worked to reach this difficult decision.

Thank you.

Kind regards.