"Objects have a spiritual resonance," designer Andrew Wilson writes in his artists' statement. In a moment in which the virtual ever more encroaches on the worth of the physical world, this year's Melvin Van Peebles Symposium explores how embodied and inspirited Black arts and expressive traditions function as pathways to freedom, transcendence, and self-knowledge.
The symposium honors art's capacity to store and transmit embodied knowledge across time. It honors the breadth of what art can be and critiques narrow ways of understanding that devalue the meaning in everyday items like clothing and accessories. It questions what the acts of self-determination and space-taking inherent in styling one's body and raising one's voice can do against the tide of a world that insists on smallness.
We invite artists and scholars to join these events in considering how all forms of Black art—whether theatre, film, photography, dance, music, textiles, or visual art—can serve as portals into alternative ways of knowing, feeling, and being. We welcome proposals for panels, papers, working groups, performances, and heretofore unimagined modes of knowledge transmission engaging the conference theme.
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026
Possible Presentation Formats and Submission Guidelines
All sessions are 75 minutes in length and should include opportunities for audience engagement and response; sessions are concurrent, with multiple sessions occurring at the same time open to all interested attendees. Submitted artistic materials will be used to adjudicate submissions and will then be deleted from the selection committee's devices; titles, abstracts, and bios may be used as part of conference planning and in the creation of a conference program. All submissions will be assessed in conversation with the rubric at the end of this call for papers.
Scholarly Paper Panels
- A panel of 3-4 speakers presenting scholarly papers on a common theme.
- You may submit a panel proposal or an individual paper proposal (written by one or more authors). Panel proposals should be complete, with 3-4 panel participants; individual paper contributors will be assigned to panels. We strongly encourage diverse panels including artists, scholars, students, and community members from a variety of institutions/contexts/career stages/life experiences.
- Selected presenters (i.e., the panel) should collectively speak for 60 minutes to ensure that audience members have 15 minutes to respond and discuss; therefore, each speaker may present their research for approximately 15-20 minutes given the number of panelists.
- Provide us a summary of any A/V needs (and whether or not those needs are mandatory or preferred)
Submission Guidelines
- For single papers, please include:
- Paper title
- Abstract (250 words or less) addressing both the content of the paper and the way it ties into the conference theme, and the theoretical lens/framework/methodology being engaged
- Brief bio for each creator/co-creator (150 words or less)
- A summary of any A/V needs (and whether or not those needs are mandatory or preferred)
- For paper panels, please include:
- Panel title
- Abstract (150 words or less) for the panel as a whole
- The above materials for each individual paper
Roundtable Conversations
- Roundtables are intimate conversations between colleagues centered on a single topic, question or idea.
- Roundtables can have anywhere from 3-6 speakers, each presenting a specific take on an issue before opening up into a broader conversation amongst the roundtable participants.
- Roundtables should include either a designated facilitator or plan for facilitating conversation; they may also request an external facilitator.
- Roundtable participants should collectively speak for no more than 60 minutes to ensure that audience members have 15 minutes to respond and discuss, for a total session time of 75 minutes.
Submission Guidelines
- Session title
- Abstract (250 words or less) addressing both the content of the session and the way it ties into the conference theme
- Brief bio for each participant (150 words or less)
- A summary of any A/V needs (and whether or not those needs are mandatory or preferred)
Performance
- An individual or group performance of a selected piece of music, dance, play, or other oral/movement presentation.
- Performances should be no more than 60 minutes to ensure that audience members have at least 15 minutes to respond and discuss.
Submission Guidelines
- Performance title
- Abstract (250 words or less) addressing both the content of the session and the way it ties into the conference theme
- Brief bio for each participant (150 words or less)
- A sample of relevant work – the proposed script, a link to a sample of this proposed piece or previous work, etc.
- A summary of any A/V and space needs (and whether or not those needs are mandatory or preferred)
Film Screenings
- Films can be works-in-progress or a final product and can be narrative, documentary or experimental.
- The maximum allowed film length is 60 minutes to ensure that audience members have at least 15 minutes to respond and discuss; however, there is no minimum film length.
- The person submitting the film must own full rights to allow for its presentation.
Submission Guidelines
- Film title
- Abstract (250 words or less) addressing both the content of the session and the way it ties into the conference theme
- Brief Bio for each participant (150 words or less)
- A .30 second to 2-minute trailer or clip of the proposed film
Alternate Modes of Presentation
Are you imagining an innovative way of sharing your thoughts not addressed above, like exhibiting clothing design or other visual art; teaching a workshop; or curating a runway show? Fantastic!
Please submit:
- Session title
- Abstract (250 words or less) addressing both the content of the session and the way it ties into the conference theme
- Brief bio for each participant (150 words or less)
- A description of how you imagine this session looking/feeling/functioning – What will you actually do over the course of the 75 minute session?
- A summary of any A/V and space needs (and whether or not those needs are mandatory or preferred)
Please contact bcgranger@owu.edu with any specific questions regarding A/V and space needs.
