Join over 500 participants from the IA network and the University of California, Davis and Yolo Bioregion community (a geographic and cultural area that includes the cities of Davis, Woodland, Winters, West Sacramento, and surrounding areas) to engage in deep learning, collaboration, and transformative creativity on the theme of Tides of Transition: Restoring Collective Spirit in Troubled Times. We will activate spaces across the UC Davis campus, in the city of Davis, and at community-hosted site visits.

Reflecting on the importance of transitions – from political crises to global climate change, and personal identity to organizational transformation – this gathering invites participants to share stories, research, creative works, and community practices exploring the complex process of transitioning away from systems of fear and domination and towards restoring collective spirit.

The 2026 IA National Gathering also marks a transition within Imagining America, as this occasion is the last gathering organized by the IA-UC Davis team before IA moves to a new home campus in July 2027 (host announcement in summer 2026). At this moment in a natural cycle of transition for IA, we will celebrate the good work we have done together over the past decade and join the new host in dreaming up the exciting possibilities to come.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Imagining America’s 2026 National Gathering is made possible through the generous and creative contributions of many people. We would like to extend special thanks to the members of our Steering Committee:

• Diana Almendariz, Cultural Practitioner of Maidu/Wintun, Hupa/Yurok Traditions, Heritage and Experiences
• Jose Arenas, Taller Arte de Nuevo Amanecer (TANA)
• Daniele Biala, UC Davis Summer Sessions
• Catherine Chiabaut, UC Davis Humanities Institute
• Ofelia Cuevas, Chicana/o Studies, UC Davis
• Esther Delozier, UC Davis Global Affairs
• Ella Fodor, Undergraduate student, Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology
• Shelly Gilbride, International House-Davis
• Rachel Hartsough, City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs
• Lucas Hatton, Davis Repertory Theatre
• Robin Hill, Art, UC Davis
• Sandy Holman, Culture Co-Op
• Genevie Hong, Undergraduate student, Cognitive Science/Sustainable Environmental Design
• Margaret Kemp, Theatre & Dance, UC Davis
• Jonathan London, Human Ecology, UC Davis
• Susette Min, Asian American Studies and Art History, UC Davis
• Celeste Navas, UC Davis graduate student, Cultural Studies
• Sarah Rebolloso McCullough, Feminist Research Institute
• N. Claire Napawan, Community and Regional Development/Landscape Design, UC Davis
• Jord Nelsen, Third Space Art Collective
• Stacey Parker, Arboretum and Public Garden
• Sylvia Rios, Courageous Dreaming
• Alison Rossi, Manetti Shrem Museum
• Kate Stephensen, UC Davis School of Education