Thursday, March 5, 2026

Students in front of the CAA Registration Sign against a blue curtain. Pictured are Ani Li-Lin, left, Isabella McCord, Ryann Townsend, Maudistya Ilyasha, Abigail Hefele and Tyler Squires.

Art History Students from UNT Build Networks and Research Paths at National Conference

Six advanced undergraduate students from the UNT College of Visual Arts and Design’s Department of Art History recently traveled to Chicago to attend the 114th annual conference of the College Art Association, or CAA, one of the most influential gatherings for artists, scholars and museum professionals in the field.

Through a competitive award, Abby Hefele, Maudistya Ilyasha, Ani Li-Lin, Isabella McCord, Tyler Squires and Ryann Townsend received departmental funding to attend the conference Feb. 18–21, 2026. Recipients were selected by a committee of Art History faculty members and Lisa N. Owen, department chair, following a competitive application process.

Facade of the Chicago Hilton Hotel with welcome banners for the CAA conferees.

The Chicago Hilton, site of the 2026 CAA conference, welcomed conferees at the front door.

For students considering careers in museums, academia, research or cultural institutions, attending CAA offers an early look at the professional art world — and an opportunity to step directly into it.

Founded in 1911, the College Art Association is the leading international organization for professionals in the visual arts. Its annual conference brings together thousands of art historians, artists, curators, educators and publishers for scholarly presentations, panel discussions and professional networking. The conference also hosts a major book fair and career development programming, making it a central meeting point for shaping new research and conversations in the field.

For UNT Art History students, attending CAA provides direct exposure to the discipline they are preparing to enter — from listening to cutting-edge research presentations to building relationships with scholars and museum professionals.

Learning the Profession Firsthand

For Abby Hefele, the conference offered an introduction to professional networking and research possibilities within art history.

“I learned how to talk to people and navigate making connections,” Hefele said. “Specifically, I learned about different niches within the theme of the area I want to study, which gave me ideas for my own future research projects.”

The connections extended well beyond the conference itself.

“Overall, I received numerous emails, and I’ve been talking back and forth with people since the conference ended,” Hefele said. “Topics include advice on grad school applications and learning about different programs offered.”

For Maudistya "Modi" Ilyasha, the experience affirmed that emerging scholars have a place in the field.

“Personally, I learned a lot about what the field had to offer,” Ilyasha said. “They are constantly looking for new scholars with new studies, and it made me hopeful that perhaps there is space for my studies in the field.”

Building Connections Across the Field

For Isabella “Bella” McCord, the conference opened unexpected doors.

After attending the Emerging Scholars Panel focused on historians of German, Scandinavian and Central European art, McCord introduced herself to the panel organizer — a conversation that quickly expanded into broader professional connections.

“After the session, I was invited to a private dinner and reception for the academic organization that evening,” McCord said. “I networked with many professors of German art across the U.S., the curator of prints and drawings from the Art Institute of Chicago and was given contact information for a professor of art history at the University of Tübingen, where I will study as an exchange student next year.” The Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, founded in 1477, is one of 11 German Excellence Universities centrally located in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg, in the picturesque historic city center of Tübingen.

Those conversations continue to shape her academic plans.

“I have since been in contact with three of the scholars I spoke with during the dinner,” McCord said. “One told me to ‘let him know if and when’ I apply to the graduate program he directs.”

Seeing the Future of Art History

For Tyler Squires, the conference provided a glimpse of what a career in art history can look like.

“CAA was an incredible experience,” Squires said. “I networked with scholars in my field, book publishers and CAA organizers. I attended sessions that both expanded my views of the art historical field and informed my understanding of emerging research topics.”

The experience also strengthened connections within the UNT student cohort.

“I bonded with my fellow undergraduate students,” Squires said. “Overall, CAA was a valuable experience both professionally and socially, and I look forward to attending again in future years.”

Advice for Future Art History Students

Ryann Townsend returned from the conference with practical advice for students interested in attending academic conferences.

“Research your people before going or while at the conference,” Townsend said. “People loved it when I went up to them after their panel and thanked them or mentioned their work.”

Townsend also emphasized the importance of pacing yourself during an intense multi-day conference.

“If you need a break, go and take one,” Townsend said. “Once I started taking breaks, I found it much easier to focus and follow what panelists were saying.”

And one final tip for scholars traveling to CAA: pack light.

“The book fair has free or discounted books on the last day,” Townsend said. “You’ll want room in your bag.”

Preparing the Next Generation of Art Historians

Faculty in UNT’s Department of Art History view experiences like CAA as a vital part of student development. Conferences allow undergraduates to see how research is shared, how scholars collaborate and how new ideas shape the discipline.

The department hopes to continue supporting student travel to the CAA annual meeting in future years — helping UNT students step into professional conversations while still in the classroom.

For students passionate about visual culture, history and critical research, experiences like these show that studying art history at UNT is not only about learning the past — it’s about participating in the future of the field.

For more information about studying Art History at UNT, visit the Art History webpage on the CVAD website.

A group of six students are posing for a selfie. UNT Art History students pause for a selfie after visiting a local restaurant for some famous Chicago pizza while visiting the city for the CAA conference.