From its inception in 1964, ICFAD has organized conferences in major cultural centers in North America and Europe. During these conferences, topics of interest to the membership are discussed by artists, academic and intellectual leaders, and government and foundation officials.

ICFAD's annual conference is held usually in October or November in a major cultural center.

The agenda reflects the broad concerns and needs of the membership, addressing such matters as policies and procedures affecting the well-being of schools of the arts.

The Annual conference provides an opportunity, in formal and informal settings, to network with colleagues and guests about developments in the arts or other general topics of interest.

Annual conferences usually feature panel discussions with leading national experts in the arts, local arts leaders, and ICFAD deans. Tours and receptions are arranged; at the Madrid conference, for example, there were private visits of the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums.

ICFAD works closely with arts related organizations and government entities in the United States as well as in various parts of the world to advance education in the arts. ICFAD is represented at the meeting of several United States organizations, including Working Group for the Arts in Higher Education (WGAHE); National Coalition for Education in the Arts (NCEA); National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC); and National Council on the Arts (NCA). ICFAD is also an annual participant at the Arts Advocacy Day, sponsored by the American Council for the Arts. ICFAD's latest efforts are in support of GOALS 2000: Educate America Act.

Additionally, ICFAD has developed a relationship with the recently founded European League of Institutes of the Arts(ELIA). ICFAD and ELIA held their first joint conference in 1996 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Data collection
ICFAD has cooperated with the national accrediting associations in the arts to establish the Higher Education Arts Data Service (HEADS).

Comparative data in many areas of advanced training in the arts and administration of the arts in higher education are published annually and made available to ICFAD members.