Conference Information & Registration
The 2019 GIA Conference has sold out!
We have reached our capacity for the conference, and are no longer able to accept additional registrations, either in advance or on site at the conference. Contact the GIA office if you require further information.
Registration Desk Hours
The registration desk will be located in the South Convention Lobby of the Conference hotel.
Saturday, October 12
4:00pm - 8:00pm
Sunday, October 13
7:30am - 10:00am
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Monday, October 14
7:30am - 10:00am
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Tuesday, October 15
7:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday, October 16
8:00am - 9:00am
Who Can Attend?
The GIA Conference is the annual national convening for arts grantmakers. Conference attendance is open to staff or board members of foundations, public funding agencies, and corporate giving programs.
Nonprofit organizations whose primary activity is grantmaking must meet eligibility criteria outlined on our Membership page and may only be represented by individuals whose roles involve grantmaking, programming, and/or policy. Board members of National Partner organizations and any fundraising or development staff are not eligible to attend.
To preserve the capacity for open discussion, all attendees must refrain from fundraising or solicitation at the conference.
Contact gia@giarts.org with questions regarding conference eligibility.
Registration Rates
| GIA Member | Early Bird* | $650 |
| GIA Member | $700 |
| Non-Member | Early Bird* | $775 |
| Non-Member | $825 |
| Single Day | $375 |
| Group Discount - 2 per group ** | $662.50 |
| Group Discount - 3 per group ** | $650 |
| Group Discount - 5 per group ** | $640 |
| Group Discount - 10 per group ** | $632.50 |
| Preconference Session ǂ | $175 |
| Guest | $150 |
* Early Bird Registrations
Early Bird registration is available to members and non-members through August 31, 2019, 11:59 pm Eastern Daylight Time.
** Group Registrations
In order to receive the group discount, all participants from the same organization must be registered together on the same registration. We recommend utilizing the variety of group registration ticket packages to register your team.
ǂ Preconference Session Registration
Preconference sessions may only be attended by those who are also registered for the full conference. Please note preconference sessions have limited capacity and tend to sellout before conference registration closes. If preconference sessions reach capacity, waitlists will be available.
Conference Hotel Information
Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
1550 Court Pl.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-3333
Please note the Sheraton’s cancellation policy is honored 72 hours prior to arrival. A limited number of government rate rooms are available, please call the hotel to reserve. Official government ID will be required upon check-in to honor rate.
An additional block of rooms are available at the Westin Denver Downtown, located in the Tabor Center in downtown Denver. From the conference hotel, the Westin Denver Downtown Hotel is a 10-minute ride on the free 16th St Mall shuttle or a 15-minute walk/roll. This special room rate for conference attendees is available through Wednesday, September 18. To make a reservation, please call (303) 572-9100, and mention the Grantmakers in the Arts room rate.
The Westin Denver Downtown
1672 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 572-9100
Guest Fee
The guest fee is $150 in advance and $175 on site. This permits guests of conference attendees to attend the following conference social events:
- Sunday Opening Reception
- Monday evening Film Screening
- Tuesday evening Special Event
Please note that conference plenary sessions, meals, and conference breakout sessions are not open to guests.
Cancellation Policy
Refunds for cancellations will be processed as follows:
| Cancellation Date | Refund Available |
| Prior to September 1, 2019 | 90% of registration paid |
| September 1-30, 2019 | 50% of registration paid |
| After September 30, 2019 | No refund available |
Ticket Protection is offered by a third party unaffiliate. For all questions regarding ticket protection, buyers should contact the ticket protection seller, Fanshield, directly.
If you have opted to purchase ticket insurance, please note all ticket insurance refunds will be handled through Fanshield not Grantmakers in the Arts.
Session Costs
Members proposing and organizing sessions pay their own costs associated with attending the conference and are asked to pay the transportation and lodging expenses for their non-member presenters. GIA will pay all membership-ineligible session presenters a $200 honorarium and cover their one-day conference registration.
Accessibility
GIA is committed to making this conference accessible to everyone. Please indicate on your registration form if you require an accommodation or service, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. If you have any questions, please contact us at gia@giarts.org or by phone at (929) 452-3740.
Conference Guiding Principles
Grantmakers in the Arts has a long-held commitment to engaging the community in each city where the annual national conference is held. Read GIA’s Conference Guiding Principles and Practices.
Sustainability at the Conference
In keeping with GIA’s commitment to sustainability and the environment, we do not offer a resource table for distribution of materials at the GIA conference. GIA makes all conference information available online and encourages conference attendees to communicate news and share documents electronically utilizing our web tools and communication platforms. GIA regularly provides current reports, research, and materials of interest and relevance to the public on our website. Additionally, to further reduce waste, GIA does not provide conference tote bags or miscellaneous handouts.
Carbon Emissions Offset Commitment
GIA takes climate change seriously and strives to undertake programmatic and infrastructural initiatives to improve our environmental responsibility. GIA encourages conference attendees to communicate news and share documents electronically utilizing our web tools and communication platforms. Additionally, GIA purchases carbon offsets to mitigate the environmental impact of conference related travel for our staff. We encourage conference attendees and GIA members to explore purchasing carbon offsets for their own environmental impacts.
To learn more about carbon offset programs, please see this guide by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Conference Volunteer Policy
GIA presents an annual national conference that provides the only opportunity for arts grantmakers from across the country to come together to share knowledge and ideas, to develop collective strategies, and to learn about the latest initiatives in grantmaking. GIA provides opportunities for individuals to volunteer at the conference supporting the GIA staff and conference planning team. Responsibilities include staff support, communication with and guidance for conference participants, administrative support throughout all conference events, and participation at offsite programs, among other duties. GIA prioritizes individuals from the local host-city and public agencies that are member organizations, member-eligible, and/or emerging leader partners.
Volunteers receive a per diem for meals not provided during the conference program, and GIA will provide travel and accommodation support.
To inquire about volunteer opportunities for this or future conferences, please contact Deputy Director & Director of Programs Nadia Elokdah at nadia@giarts.org.
Conference Documentation
GIA reserves the right to record conference proceedings through videography, photography, and written documentation, including blogs and social media, for non-commercial use on its website and in publications.