Formed by Beauty
July 22-24, 2027 | Wheaton, Illinois
Cultivating a Love for the Arts
Formed by beauty
The 2027 CMI Conference is coming, and we can't wait to gather with you in beautiful Wheaton, Illinois! Mark your calendars for July 22-24, 2027 at Wheaton College, where this year's theme, "Formed by Beauty: Cultivating a Love of the Arts," will inspire, equip, and refresh your heart and mind. Through encounters with great works of visual art, music, poetry, architecture, and other expressions of human creativity, we’ll explore Charlotte Mason’s belief that beauty is not an educational luxury but an essential means of nourishing the soul.
Prepare to immerse yourself in community, hands-on learning, and thoughtful discussions. We hope participants--including teens ages 13 and older! -- will leave the conference excited to incorporate Charlotte Mason's insights into their rhythms of life. We can’t wait to see you in Wheaton!
NOTE: This conference is not a function of Wheaton College.
There is another region open to Intellect, of very great beauty and delight. He must needs have Imagination with him to travel there, but still more must he have that companion of the nice ear and eye, who enabled him to recognise music and beauty in words and their arrangement. The aesthetic Sense, in truth, holds the key of this palace of delights. There are few joys in life greater and more constant than our joy in Beauty, though it is almost impossible to put into words what Beauty consists in; colour, form, proportion, harmony—these are some of its elements.
- Charlotte Mason, Ourselves, p.41
Speakers
One of the joys of gathering at the CMI Conference is learning from one another. We come from different backgrounds and educational settings, each bringing our own experiences, questions, and discoveries. As we prepare for Formed by Beauty, we're inviting educators, scholars, and practitioners to share what they've been studying, considering, and putting into practice.
Learn more and submit your proposal HERE.
Lodging & On-Campus Dining
Staying on campus is a part of the conference experience, and we are excited to be hosting special events in the dorms this year to make your stay meaningful.
Conference attendees have the opportunity to stay in Fischer Hall, which has suite-style rooms joined by a shared bathroom. Tour the rooms here.
All rooms include linens (fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillow, pillow case, fleece blanket, bath towel, hand towel, face towel), toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap), and welcome goodies (water, assorted snacks).
In addition, Fischer Hall offers a staffed front desk, complimentary shuttle service between conference check-in and the dorms, secured keycard access, free wifi, free parking, a full shared kitchen for your use, free laundry facilities (bring detergent), ice and vending machings, and communal spaces for enjoying downtime.
Some of the most meaningful conversations happen around the table. Friendships are forged and deepened as ideas are explored. As sharing meals is an important part of the experience, we encourage all attendees to join us for meals on campus.
Dining at Wheaton is provided by Bon Appetit, consistently ranked in the top ten of the nation’s food service providers at college campuses.
Meals will be locally and sustainably grown, raised humanely, made from scratch, and customized to meet nutritional and dietary needs, as well as allergy restrictions.
Meals are served at set times, buffet-style, all-you-can-eat. Meal plans must be pre-purchased and bracelets will be given to denote which meal plan you have selected. Purchasing meals day of, a la carte, will be very limited based on availability and cannot be guaranteed. See sample menus and get a sense of the amazing food served here.
Note: this conference is not a function of Wheaton College.
Wheaton
Conference Location
We are delighted to be hosting this year’s conference at the lovely Wheaton College just outside of Chicago, Illinois this year! The location opens up access to those wishing to join us from the East and West Coasts, as well as international folks with two major airports - Chicago Midway and Chicago O’Hare - nearby. The campus is accessible by train and is walkable to downtown Wheaton which is home to many shops and local eateries (and amazing coffee).
Here are some resources in planning your trip:
Wheaton College
Choose Chicago
Chicago Transit Authority
Things to do in Wheaton






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