23rd Annual Idea Swap

When

November 6, 2025, 9am - 5pm EST

Where

Mechanics Hall | 321 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608

The Idea Swap is an annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations to network and share ideas for performing arts, literary arts, and film projects that are available for presentation in New England communities. The Idea Swap is an opportunity to develop collaborations and partnerships that will result in applications to NEFA’s Crossroads: Touring New England (formerly known as NEST 3/Expeditions) grant program.

Each year, NEFA’s Idea Swap attracts over 150 participants from across the region. The online event platform enables participants to submit and view ideas in advance and a select number of project ideas will be shared during the Idea Swap.

Register by October 30. There will not be day of registration.

How to Share a Project at Idea Swap

Register to attend. Once you have registered to attend, you can submit your potential Crossroads: Touring New England project. The project submission deadline has been extended to Friday, October 10 at 5:30 PM.

Submit a Project

By October 24, NEFA staff will be in touch about whether you are selected to present and, if so, what your next steps are. Presenters may present either in the main session or in simultaneous breakout groups. Even if you are not selected to present this year, your project and all its details are viewable to all registered attendees on Whova.

Please reach out to Audrey Seraphin at aseraphin@nefa.org if you have any questions about submitting a project for consideration.

Schedule of Events

9:15AM | First Timers Reception
First time Idea Swap attendees are invited to meet NEFA staff and other Idea Swap participants for informal networking
9:30AM | Registration Opens
10:00AM | Welcome
10:15AM | Advocacy for the Creative Sector: National, Regional, and Local Strategies
11:15AM | Session #1: Project Presentations
Hear from presenting organizations and touring artists about artistic projects seeking presenting partners for engagements across New England. Participants can apply to present a project idea through the project submission form until October 10.
Session #2: Grants and Opportunities for Artists
12:15PM | Lunch
1:30PM | Mini Swaps
More project presentations in short, informal presentations
2:05PM | Project Presentations – Round Two
2:50PM | Closing Remarks – Harold Steward, Executive Director, NEFA
3:15PM | Networking Reception sponsored by New England Arts Presenters

Directions, Parking, & Hotel 

Directions & Parking

There are five nearby hotel options in the area:

AC Hotel Worcester
125 Front St, Worcester, MA 01608
4-minute drive, 8-minute walk to Mechanics Hall
Parking: $18/day in underground parking garage
- There is a limited block of rooms for $209
Courtyard Worcester
72 Grove St, Worcester, MA 01605
5-minute drive, 19-minute walk to Mechanics Hall
Parking: $15/day
Hampton Inn & Suites Worcester
65 Prescott St, Worcester, MA 01605
5-minute drive, 20-minute walk to Mechanics Hall
Parking: $15/day
Hilton Garden Inn Worcester
35 Major Taylor Blvd, Worcester, MA 01608
3-minute drive, 7-minute walk to Mechanics Hall
Parking: $11.95/day, parking garage across the street from hotel
Homewood Suites by Hilton Worcester
1 Washington Sq, Worcester, MA 01604
4-minute drive, 9-minute walk
Parking: Free parking lot

Accessible Entrance

The accessible entrance is located on Waldo Street. Elevators are located in the ground-floor lobby and provide access to the second and third floors. Idea Swap check in is located on the second floor.