Learn from Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability Attendees!
Event Description: The Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference is an annual event presented by the Kennedy Center focused on building knowledge and networks for cultural workers. Representatives from the Collab and across Illinois will be stationed throughout the venue sharing their takeaways from this year’s conference. Come with your questions about LEAD and take some time to meet and greet with your fellow Collab community members!
This event has ended. Photos of the event can be found below.
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Cultural Access Collaborative is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by ART Grant, an initiative of the Field Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation, Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Michael & Mona Heath Fund, and individual donors like you.
Daria Smith is the Exhibitions Project Coordinator at the Obama Foundation and coordinates a variety of projects with a focus on graphics, art management and fabrication for the upcoming Obama Presidential Center on the South Side of Chicago.
Jaden Dueñas is an artist, educator, and leader based in Chicago, IL. He attended the 2026 LEAD Conference on behalf of the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago.
Craig McNabb is the Audience + Access Services Manager at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, overseeing our part-time audience services and house management teams and all accessible services offered at the theater. He is also a writer, director, and performer and live in Lincoln Park with my wife and two cats, Lil Dude and Banjo.
Mattie Wilson is the Senior Director of Public Engagement for the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, the non-profit arm of the Garfield Park Conservatory, and a member of the Cultural Access Collab Steering Committee.
Zhen Heinemann and Lauren Pincus-Blanco are two of Cultural Access Collaborative’s Steering Committee Co-Chairs. Zhen is the Director of Visitor Experience & Public Engagement with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Lauren is the Audience & Accessibility Manager with Chicago Humanities Festival.