Colorado TAB, Inc.
A place where educators believe that:
The student is the artist
The art room is their studio
They understand what artists do
Colorado TAB
2026 Annual Conference
TAB: Advocacy, Belonging, and Community
January 17th & 18th
This conference is organized and run by a team of working Colorado art teachers who volunteer countless hours to provide the best experience possible.
Click below to register for the
Colorado TAB, Inc. Conference 2026
Early Bird Registration Rates available until January 1, 2026.
Keynote Speaker:
Abby Birhanu
Abby Birhanu(she/her) is an artist and educator with 20+ years of experience teaching middle and high school, who believes deeply in the transformative power of art education. Abby embraces choice-based art and Teaching Artistic Behavior (TAB) pedagogy, empowering students to shape their artistic journey while nurturing their creativity. Her involvement in the Fulbright Teachers Exchange Program, was a pivotal experience that reinforced her dedication to cross-cultural learning and teaching. As an advocate for equity and inclusivity in education, Abby is committed to anti-racist, anti-bias, and culturally responsive teaching. She strives to cultivate global citizens who appreciate and contribute to the interconnected world community.
Artist:
Armando Silva
Armando Silva uses his artistic drive to tell powerful stories, build community, and inspire audiences through art. His artistic practice focuses on color theory, character building and storytelling. His large-scale mural installations give communities a way to communicate impactful messages. Armando has been celebrated for his collaborations with cities, non-profits, businesses, and educators across the state and beyond.
The TAB Conference is a collaboration of teachers, artists and teaching artists. We are looking for presenters for our Mini-sessions and Workshops. Applications are due November 29, 2025.
Testimonials from Previous Conference Attendees
“It serves my brain and heart’s needs!”
“I love the TAB conference. It feels like home, and it is so wonderful to be in a group of like-minded people.”
“Dale convinced me to pop in years ago and I have loved it ever since!!!”
“I have been the last 5 years. It helps ground me and rejuvenate my mindset in dreary January!”
“I moved here from Texas recently and wanted to plug into the art teacher community so I would have support when I find a job. Y’all have exceeded my expectations. I didn’t realize the conference would be this big.”
“It’s the best conference ever- just big enough, but small to make personal connections”
Previous Conference Padlets
“The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas; it’s to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they’re valued.”
Colorado TAB, Inc. 