CFP | ASSOCIATION FOR ART HISTORY 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Call for Papers | Association for Art History 2025 Annual Conference
8-10 April, 2026
University of Cambridge
Call for Papers deadline: Sunday 2 November 2025

We are delighted to announce Call for Papers for our next year’s conference which will be held in collaboration with the History of Art department at the University of Cambridge.

The Association for Art History’s Annual Conference brings together international research and critical debate about art history and visual culture. A key annual event, the conference is an opportunity to keep up to date with new research, hear leading keynotes, broaden networks and exchange ideas.

The Annual Conference attracts around 400 attendees each year and is popular with academics, curators, practitioners, PhD students, early career researchers and anyone engaged with art history research. Members of the Association get reduced conference rates, and members and non-members are welcome to attend and propose sessions and papers. Convenors are limited to convening one session, and we ask that speakers give a paper in one session only.

We actively encourage applications from candidates who are Black, Asian, minority ethnic or from other groups traditionally underrepresented within art historical roles in the UK, as well as new partnerships from those representing these groups. We also welcome session proposals from art associations, societies and networks.

Scope/Provocation

The Annual Conference reflects the Association for Art History’s commitment to a broad and inclusive art history. We therefore strive for sessions, across all areas of research and practice, from the ancient to the contemporary and on all forms of artistic media and including those which focus on practice outside of Europe and North America. In a 21st century facing multiple global challenges, the recognition and support of inter-sectional arts histories are of critical importance, and we welcome submissions that engage with race and gender, the environment, AI, and social activism.

A word from our hosts

Established in 1970, the Department of History of Art at Cambridge offers a rich object-led programme of diverse content from the early Middle Ages to the present day to a growing community of undergraduates and postgraduates. Although originally focused on western art, today the Department teaches and researches varied regions of the world, making full use of Cambridge’s unique holdings of art and architecture. These include the Fitzwilliam Museum, Kettle’s Yard, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Women’s Art Collection and the University Library, as well as Cambridge’s thirty-one Colleges. The Hamilton Kerr Institute, which is dedicated to the research and conservation of easel paintings, contributes to the Department’s teaching and research, as well as offering its own Masters in the Conservation of Easel Paintings. We are thrilled to be hosting the AAH Conference and look forward to welcoming you to our artistically vibrant city.

Paper Proposals

The 2026 Annual Conference is open to all, members and non-members of the Association for Art History. Anyone can submit a paper. Speakers, delegates and conveners pay to attend.

We’ve had an unprecedented number of excellent session proposals. A complete list of Sessions to which to submit can be downloaded here including information on how to submit a paper directly to the Session Convenor, and contact details for all Session Convenors.

Date	Activity
29 September	Sessions listed on AAH website and social media. Call for Papers announced.
2 November	Call for Papers deadline.
3 November – 7 December	Session convenors select papers and contact speakers.
7 December	Session and paper abstracts sent to AAH deadline.
December	Full details of sessions on AAH website. Tickets/registration opens.
8-10 April 2026	AAH Conference.