As many of you know, Homecoming 2024 was going to be held this past May at MASS MoCA, but we put our planning on hold when the UAW-represented staff of the museum went on strike in March. While the strike ended prior to Homecoming’s planned dates, we ultimately decided to postpone our gathering to spring 2025. We made this choice because we had paused planning and booking at a critical time for the event, and because we didn’t want to put our many time-sensitive needs in tension with the challenges MASS MoCA’s staff would be navigating as they returned to work. Under those circumstances, we no longer felt able to deliver on a Homecoming that was aligned with our values as a convener, and with the quality that you have rightly come to expect from us. It was a hard decision to make, but one that felt right, and we heard back from many of you that you felt the same.

In reflecting on this journey, we continue to feel inspired by what unfolded in those weeks and the people that made it possible. Thanks to the strike, MASS MoCA staff are receiving higher hourly wages and salaries, as well as additional holiday and overtime pay.

In light of this, it feels doubly important to return to this venue for Homecoming 2025 – to gather as a community in a space that is not only so beautiful and inspiring and full of meaningful work, but also one that we’ve collectively witnessed grapple with some of the hardest questions we face as a field in how we care for our people. We’re so looking forward to meeting you there next year and exploring these themes and so many others.

• What is Homecoming? Homecoming is a gathering and celebration of the entire NAS community created for and by its members. Whether you were part of an NAS program one year ago or 10, you are welcome here. Together, we co-create a space to unplug from your everyday life; connect with peers working all across the arts and culture sector; reconnect with yourself through rest, art, and time in nature; and engage in meaningful learning and conversations that will help you return home with fresh energy, inspiration, and perspective.
• Pay What You Will: Our intention is to make NAS Homecoming as accessible as possible to everyone in our community. To minimize financial barriers, you’ll have the opportunity to book at a price that’s fair for you.
• Timeline and Bookings: Booking will open later this fall, but we encourage you to mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more details on the gathering and lodging options in the months ahead.

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. It means so much to us to gather with you all in this way and we’re so looking forward to seeing you at Homecoming next year!