Leadership can feel isolating, especially in today’s fast-paced, digital world. Homecoming is your chance to step back, spark new ideas, and find both support and inspiration among your fellow NAS alumni. When we gather, we’re stronger.

Our theme this Homecoming is “Where Do We Go From Here…”

Through it, we’ll explore:

• How to build a sustainable future that balances tradition with innovation.
• The power of art as a tool for healing, connection, and joy.

Our time at Homecoming includes:

• Immersive experiences at MASS MoCA where art drives discourse
• Insightful discussions led by Kristy Edmunds, NAS alum & MASS MoCA’s executive director
• Activities led by NAS alumni to deepen connections
• Engaging with North Adams’ close-knit and vibrant artistic community

Homecoming isn’t just an event—it’s an experience designed by your NAS peers to renew, inspire, and build new relationships. You’ll leave with fresh energy, new ideas, and a deeper connection to both the NAS community and your mission. Let’s come together, embrace creativity, and bring a little of that NAS magic back to our work.

NAS exists to build and support a diverse community of arts and culture leaders who drive inspiring change for the future. You are that community, and the reason we are here. Homecoming was created with the intention of being accessible as possible to everyone in our alumni community. To that end, Homecoming is a Pay What you Will event.

Our suggested price is $967 – the true per-person cost for the event – but we invite you to book the price that’s fair to you.

Homecoming offers two different booking packages:

Lodging Package

• Meeting space
• Full access to MASS MoCA
• Food and beverage except one on-your-own dinner
• Three nights at our event hotel (Note: Hotel space is limited)

Ready to join us at Homecoming and book your spot? This is an invite-only event for alumni of NAS programs. Our team will personally work with you to complete your booking.  jade@artstrategies.org 

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) is the largest contemporary art museum in North America and one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. Much of the work shown in their light-filled spaces, on their technically sophisticated stages, and within their lovely network of late 19th-century courtyards is made on-site during extended fabrication and rehearsal residencies that bring hundreds of the world’s most brilliant and innovative artists to North Adams all year round.

MASS MoCA is situated in North Adams, Massachusetts, nestled in the Berkshires and approximately 30 miles from Albany, New York (and the location of its closest major airport).

As NAS works to move away from conventional hierarchical leadership and decision making, we move instead towards coalition building, co-design, leaderful movements/organizations/communities, and consensus.

Homecoming was co-designed by a volunteer committee of alumni who represent the dimensions of our community’s leaders. Together in two groups they worked enthusiastically to design a space that is uniquely by and for this family to connect, reflect, learn, and reimagine.

Wondering what North Adams has to offer while you’re in town? Discover what’s on view at MASS MoCA plus downtown projects in the North Adams cultural district started by some NAS Creative Community Fellows!

NAS Creative Community Fellows Projects

• Walkaway House
• Center of Gravity
• Common Folk
• Savvy Hive

On Exhibit at MASS MoCA

• Current Exhibitions
• Upcoming Exhibitions (Will be on view by Homecoming!)

MASS MoCA is a welcoming environment to all and offers services to make the venue as accessible as possible. Read more about MASS MoCa’s accessibility features here on their website.

NAS is committed to gathering as safely as possible. We will watch local guidance regarding COVID-19 and may require rapid testing, supplied by us, upon your arrival.