The 2014 Houston Arts Partners Conference, titled "The Global Classroom: Cultures and Communities," draws on Houston's diversity and cultural riches to enhance the classroom experience and advocate for equitable arts access for all children. This annual arts education conference combines inspiring advocacy from nationally known arts-in-education leaders and hands-on introductions to arts-based classroom tools for all subjects, developed by Houston's arts partner organizations.

The keynote speaker will be arts consultant Nick Rabkin, co-founder of Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, co-author of Chicago's 2012 citywide cultural plan and a nationally known advocate for the role of arts education and the arts in community development.