UCDA Creative Summit 2026
2026 UCDA Creative Summit
Tuesday, April 14 & Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The 2026 UCDA Creative Summit is a two-day virtual event providing inspiration to refill your creative fuel tank. Programming is curated to spark your imagination and facilitate ideas that can help be a catalyst for your next project or even give you the inspiration to seek out and try new techniques or embark on a new creative path.
Attendees engage virtually in a casual, friendly setting with creative professionals across North America and beyond. Illustrators, photographers, designers, and creative thinkers will share their inspiring work and stories. We also include workshops and hands-on activities as well as time for open discussions to share experiences and ideas. The virtual format makes it easy to attend from your office, studio space, or home. Come prepared to learn, share, and grow your creative potential—you will walk away with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and inspiration to fuel your next creative endeavor.
The UCDA Creative Summit is an opportunity to discover, create, and connect.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
While UCDA’s programming is designed for creative professionals working in education, design faculty, and students, the Creative Summit is for anyone who needs a creative boost. If you’re a writer, marketer, creative manager, illustrator, photographer, or any other creative professional (or student), this event is for you!
TOP REASONS TO ATTEND THIS SUMMIT
Education: Carefully curated presentations and workshops over two half-days
Community: Connect and exchange ideas with the folks who do what you do
Affordable: Without the need for travel or lodging, the UCDA Creative Summit is budget-friendly.
AGENDA
The Creative Summit takes place over the course of two days. We start mid-morning (Central Time) and have a few short breaks scheduled between sessions, which wrap up in the early afternoon.
Each day features a keynote presentation with an opportunity for Q&A with the speaker, casual conversation with fellow attendees, and exercises to get your creative juices flowing. We’ll round out the day with a hands-on workshop to help you flex your maker muscles.
SCHEDULE
Preliminary schedule, subject to change. Speakers and session descriptions will be announced in early 2026. Please check back for details!
Join us for two fulfilling days of creativity and inspiration:
Tuesday, April 14, 2025: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (CDT)
Wednesday, April 15, 2025: 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (CDT)
TUESDAY, APRIL 1411:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. 12:15–12:45 p.m. 2:00–2:15 p.m. |
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1511:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m. 12:15–12:45 p.m. 1:00–2:00 p.m. |
REGISTRATION
Registration opens December 1
| SUMMIT PASS (all prices in USD) |
Live Event ONLY | Digital Recording Add-on* | |
|
Early Bird |
Standard |
Order with your live event registration by April 10. |
|
| UCDA Member | $100 | $150 | $50 |
| Non-member | $200 | $250 | $50 |
| Student | $50 | $50 | $25 |
Join UCDA to qualify for member pricing
*Digital recording available as an add-on to live event registration only.
See UCDA’s Cancellation Policy
See UCDA’s Inclusiveness, Code of Conduct, and Anti-harassment Policy.
Location:
Live Virtual Event