Eötvös Loránd University’s Faculty of Social Sciences (ELTE TáTK) hosted the 9th Arts Education Conference, centered on the theme Art and Society: Interdisciplinary Dialogues in the Service of Opportunity, Healing, and Community.

Held May 28–29, 2026, the two-day event brought together more than 300 participants—including over 75 alumni—who explored the latest developments across arts education, art therapy, museum education, social work, dance, and inclusive, community-based artistic practices. The program featured 32 sections and more than 130 presentations, highlighting the field’s diversity. Key topics included child culture research, the role of museum education in advancing equity, applications of art therapy, art-based interventions aimed at reducing educational inequalities, and the community-building potential of visual arts, dance, and music.

The conference opened with a plenary session chaired by conference president Krisztián Indries. In his welcome address, Zoltán Gábor Szűcs-Zágoni, Vice Dean for International Affairs at ELTE TáTK, underscored the importance of connections between the social sciences and arts education. The ELTE Alumni community was represented by Bernadett Kapusi-Orosz, Deputy Director of the University’s Community Building Office.

Following the opening remarks, Tünde Simon paid tribute to Professor Andrea Kárpáti, founder of the conference series. The keynote program continued with Birgit Dorner (Katholische Stiftungshochschule München), who explored the role of art in fostering social participation and inclusion, while Zsuzsanna Filesch-Weszely (Katholische Stiftungshochschule München) presented on the community-building and personal development potential of music—engaging the audience in interactive singing exercises.

A roundtable discussion titled Raising Awareness and the Role of Art in Education, moderated by Ottó Gecser, brought together Gizella Horváth, Anikó Illés, Nóra L. Ritók, and Júlia Székely. The speakers shared insights on how arts education can support social sensitivity and inclusion. The first day concluded with an interactive musical session led by Gábor Tamás Fejér and Zsuzsanna Filesch-Weszely.

On the second day, the plenary program focused on social inclusion. Svein Fuglestad (Oslo Metropolitan University) examined the role of music and other creative approaches in preventive social work and the promotion of inclusion. The plenary sessions closed with a conversation between Zsuzsanna Modla and poet Márton Simon, addressing contemporary poetry, artistic roles, and social responsibility.

Several parallel sessions explored the relationship between art and society, while dedicated tracks addressed theoretical and practical aspects of dance, the development of creative thinking, and the use of artistic tools to support mental and emotional well-being. The program also featured an art therapy exhibition titled The Colors of Life. . ., curated by Emőke Visnyei and Andrea Rácz.

The conference concluded with the traditional handover of the traveling ribbon, marking the continuation of a nine-year tradition. This year, the symbolic baton was passed to Zsolt Körmendy, head of the Teacher Training Department at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, which will host the 10th anniversary conference next May.

The event was sponsored by: