2026 SPARK! Creative Engagement Conference
Monday, November 9 @ 12:30pm-5:00pm & Tuesday, November 10 @ 8:30am-5:00pm
MYArts Building | Fourth Floor | Arts for All Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Arts for All Wisconsin invites you to the 2026 SPARK! Creative Engagement Conference, a two-day, in-person training event for existing SPARK! organizations and people interested in bringing SPARK! to their communities. The conference will be held on the fourth floor of the Madison Youth Arts Center ( MYArts), 1055 E. Mifflin St., Madison, Wisconsin, 53703.
Conference sessions will address creative engagement, brain health, best practices, program logistics, activity ideas, and the process of establishing a new SPARK! program.
Meet Our Presenters
DR. NATHANIEL CHIN | KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Nathaniel Chin is the creator and host of Dementia Matters. He is a geriatrician, memory clinic doctor, and medical director for the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. His father’s diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer’s disease inspired him to pursue a career as a geriatrician and scientist.
DANI KLEIN MODISETT | KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dani Klein Modisett is the Founder/CEO of Laughter On Call. In 2018 she launched Laughter On Call to help caregivers all those in need of connection to create shared laughter. She has been a speaker at CALA, ICAA, Stanford, MIT, Columbia, UCLA, Dartmouth, Fuqua and Harvard Business School
DR. FABU CARTER | SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Fabu Carter, poet and senior program manager for the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, will speak about the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the Black community and discuss initiatives aimed at combating the disease.
BENI DAIKO DRUMMING | SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
The Madison Japanese Taiko Group “Beni Daiko” is Madison’s premiere mainland taiko drumming group. Founded in November 2012, the group now includes members from a variety of backgrounds. Beni means “deep red” in Japanese, representing Madison, and taiko (or daiko) means “drum.”
Conference Highlights
- Attendees can receive or renew their SPARK! certification
- Learn how to establish a new SPARK! program or strengthen your current program
- Gain insight from professionals about brain health and best practices
- Learn about creative engagement, program logistics, and new activity ideas
Lodging Details
The conference hotel room block is available at The Madison Concourse Hotel with discounted hotel parking. The hotel reservation deadline is October 16, 2026. A networking mixer will take place at the hotel.
Attendance provides the required training to start a SPARK! program. If you are interested in starting a SPARK! program, please contact Tricia Blasko.
Requirements and Trainings for New SPARK! Programs
