As part of the opening events of VIENNA DESIGN WEEK and the Crafting Futures exhibition, the Centre for Creativity invites you to join them for the discussion "Catalysts of Change: Innovations at the Intersection of Design, Heritage, and Technology". They will explore how to build an ecosystem where public institutions, producers such as museums and agencies, designers, architects, and other creatives—together with companies and regional partners—can play an active role in fostering technological and non-technological innovations. They will discuss how to establish interdisciplinary and regional collaborations that are crucial for revolutionizing materials, production methods, and technologies, paving the way toward a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and humane future. And how policymakers can create a suitable support environment for the development of the creative sector and innovation by supporting this cross-sectorial collaborations. By connecting designers, institutions, and creative businesses from across the region, they aim to highlight shared values and challenges within the sector, strengthening regional networks and supporting sustainable, collaborative initiatives that can leave a lasting impact on the creative landscape.

Join them to discover how dynamic partnerships between institutions, creators, and other sectors can bridge the past and present, foster social change, drive technological innovation, and shape lasting international collaborations. The panel will be moderated by Kristina Dešman and Aline Lara Rezende.

16:00 Welcome by Gabriel Roland, Director of VIENNA DESIGN WEEK

16:05–17:00 Empowering Designers and Creatives

In the first part of the panel, designers and design practices from across the broader region will explore the support needed to address contemporary challenges.

- Milica Balubdžić, Designer, Interior architect and Artist, Vienna
- Lara Baler, Architect and Designer, Ljubljana and Milan
- Jessica Guy, Fab Lab Barcelona
- Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler, Mischer’traxler Studio, Vienna
- Rok Oblak, Salto Dionys, Ljubljana.

17:05–18:00 Institutions as Catalysts of Change

In the second part, they will highlight innovative initiatives and partnerships that are driving significant changes and advancements in the region. They will also discuss how institutions can most effectively support the efforts of creatives and contribute to the development and success of design practices.

- Tulga Beyerle, Director of Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg
- Thomas A. Geisler, Director of Kunstgewerbemuseum/Design Campus, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
- Elisabeth Noever-Ginthör, Head of Creativity and Business, Vienna Business Agency
- Gerin Trautenberger, Director of EIT Culture and Creativity CLC-South East & Alps
- Maja Vardjan, Director of the Museum of Architecture and Design, Ljubljana
- Anja Zorko, Head of Centre for Creativity.

The panel discussion is organized in collaboration with the EIT Culture and Creativity community as part of the Distributed Design Platform, supported by the Creative Europe program and with the support of SKICA Vienna.

The panel discussion will be in English.

The panel discussion will be followed by guided tours of the exhibitions VODA by SKICA and Design Corner Ljubljana as well as Crafting Futures by MAO.