Registration

Accommodations are available on the Vassar College campus at:

The Heartwood Inn
A contemporary space with integrated artworks by Mark Dion, Ransome, Nancy Graves, and more.

• Location: On Vassar’s campus, in the same building as The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts

• Cost: limited rooms available for $159 per night, includes a $10 breakfast voucher

• Booking: Use link and code ARTCONF2026

Alumnae House

Built in 1924 and steeped in over a century of tradition.

• Location: Just up the hill from The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts .

• Cost: limited rooms available for $100 per night with a shared hallway bathroom

• Booking: Use link and code MMS2026

• *Phone: 845-437-7100
  

Additional accommodations throughout the Poughkeepsie area, many just a short drive or Uber/Lyft away.

Quality Inn Poughkeepsie

• Location: 10 min walk from the Institute for the Liberal Arts 

The following meals are inclusive for Symposium participants (unless noted)

Wednesday: 
A welcoming reception will be held from 5-6 PM on The Bridge. Selections include wine, beer, soft drinks and a Hudson Valley harvest table featuring local cheeses, charcuterie, artisanal breads, crisps, and house made pickles.

Following the keynote address all participants will enjoy a catered dinner at Vassar College’s historic Alumnae House.

Thursday:
During the Thursday morning panels, symposium participants will enjoy a Beverage Station that includes assorted hot or iced teas, infused water, sparkling water, and most importantly freshly brewed coffee.

Lunch will be served in the Institute’s Beech room and includes sandwiches, salad, chips, and dessert.  

Salty & sweet snacks will be available throughout the afternoon panels.

Thursday evening both Shapeshifters & Meaning Matters will open with a reception. One can expect the Palmer Gallery’s famous cheese cubes and other yummy nibbles.

Friday Symposium participants will begin the day with coffee, tea & baked goods at The Loeb Art Center.

A closing all you can eat lunch will take place at Gordon Commons (attendees pay out of pocket $16.)

We are committed to making Making Meaning accessible to a wide range of participants and visitors.

If you require accommodations or information on accessibility, please contact the Vassar College Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Please contact our partnering institutions for information on their accommodations.

Below is information about access to symposium events, exhibitions, and the book fair at the Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts and Vassar College.

• The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts is fully ADA compliant including Bluetooth enabled audio compatible with Bluetooth capable hearing devices. ie: Cochlear implants, hearing aids, etc. An ADA accessible podium is available.

• Vassar College Center, which includes the Palmer Gallery, has three accessible entrances. There is elevator access to the Old College Bookstore and accessible restrooms are located on the first floor.

  Accessible parking is located in the Ely parking lot, Pratt Circle, in front of Kautz Admission House, and in front of Main Building.

• The Loeb Art Center has ground-level access and wheelchair lifts or elevator provide access to all levels. The entrance to the elevator is located outside under Main Gate.

  Accessible restrooms are available on each level and accessible All Gender Bathrooms are located on the second and third floors.

  The closest accessible parking spaces are located on Main Gate Drive and in front of Main Building.

For more information on accessibility, please contact us.

• Cancellations received up to 30 days before the symposium will receive a full refund. Cancellations after that date are non-refundable. In exceptional circumstances (e.g., serious illness or family emergency), organizers may consider refunds on a case-by-case basis.”

• Registration is non-transferrable.

• While at the Vassar College locations, Symposium attendees shall comply with all reasonable requests of Vassar personnel/Making Meaning representatives and the policies, rules, and regulations of Vassar regarding conduct and operations.

• Contact Information: For refund requests or questions about our policy, please contact us.

Directions

Car

Via Taconic State Parkway

1. Exit at Route 55 westbound (6 mi.)

2. Turn left onto Route 376 Extension/Van Wagner Road (which becomes Raymond Avenue <1 mi.)

3. Main Entrance (gothic stone archway) on left

Via New York State Thruway

Northbound

1. Take exit 17 for I-84 East toward Newburgh across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge

2. Take exit 13 onto Rt. 9 North (9.59 mi.)

3. Turn right onto Spackenkill Rd. Rt. 113 East

4. Turn left at second light onto Wilbur Blvd. (0.5 mi.)

5. Turn right onto Hooker Avenue (<1 mi.)

6. Turn left onto Raymond Avenue (<1 mi.)

7. Main Entrance (gothic stone archway) on right

Southbound

1. Take exit 18 for Rt. 299 toward New Paltz/Poughkeepsie

2. Turn right onto Rt. 299 East (5.1 mi.)

3. Turn right onto Rt. 9W South (2.3 mi.)

4. Take the exit ramp onto Rt. 44/55 East (<1 mi.)

5. Cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge and continue on Rt. 44/55 East(2.0 mi.)

6. Turn right onto Raymond Avenue (<1 mi.)

7. Main Entrance (gothic stone archway) on left

Via Route 9

1. Head east onto Spackenkill Rd. Rt. 113 East (0.7 mi.)

2. Turn left at the second light onto Wilbur Blvd. (2 mi.)

3. Turn right onto Hooker Avenue (0.6 mi.)

4. Turn left onto Raymond Avenue (0.4 mi.)

5. Main Entrance (gothic stone archway) on right

Train

Metro-North Commuter Railroad connects New York City’s Grand Central Terminal with Poughkeepsie. For timetables, call (800) 638-7646 or visit their website. Poughkeepsie is also served by Amtrak. For schedules, call (800) 872-7245 or the Amtrak website. Taxi and bus service is available from the Poughkeepsie train station to campus.

Bus

Service is available from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City via Short Line Bus, (800) 631-8405.

The Dutchess County L Bus picks up at the train station and drops off on Collegeview Avenue, which is directly next to campus—the L bus’s schedule and route.

Air

For travelers flying into a New York City airport, the easiest way to get to Vassar is by Metro-North Train to Poughkeepsie from Grand Central Station. To get to Grand Central Station from the metro area airports, take the Newark Airport Express (Newark).

Scheduled passenger service is available from Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, New York, 35 minutes from Vassar.

Other nearby airports include: Westchester County Airport in White Plains, Albany International Airport in Albany, and the three major airports in the New York City metro area (LaGuardia, JFK, Newark Liberty).

Local Transportation

Uber and Lyft is available throughout the area.

Map

For a map showing parking spots visit: https://www.vassar.edu/visit/tour#map

Q: How can I exhibit my work in the Transforming Collage exhibitions?

A: Symposium attendees have the opportunity to show their work in Meaning Matters: The Making Meaning Participants Exhibition. All info can be found here.

Gallery 40 in Poughkeepsie has an open call for their exhibition Bits and Pieces. This info can be found here.

Any additional exhibition opportunities will be shared via email.