Fuller Futures Festival 2026

Fuller Futures Festival • April 22–26, 2026
Making the World Work for 100% of Humanity
A Convergence of Design, Art, Systems Thinking, and Futures

The Fuller Futures Festival is a five-day convergence bringing together artists, designers, students, scholars, and practitioners to explore how design, creativity, and systems thinking can help make the world work for 100% of humanity.

Inspired by the legacy of Buckminster Fuller, the festival includes immersive workshops, the World Game, a design science studio, panels, exhibitions, performances, and public events across the SIU Carbondale campus and community.

• Registration is required for all attendees, including those attending for free, due to limited capacity in several venues and hands-on programs.
• Participation in the World Game and SimCenter is optional and not required to attend the festival, but you must RSVP to participate in the World Game and SimCenter sessions.
• The play History & Mystery of the Universe is a separately ticketed performance and is not included with festival registration. The venue for the play is the historic Varsity Theater in Carbindale IL. Tickets will be available at The Varsity Theater

8:30 AM – Opening Coffee & Gathering
9:30 AM – Opening SIU World Game History(Medard Gabel)
9:30 AM – Opening Plenary (Thomas Zung)
11:00 AM – Book signing with Thomas Zung
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Bamboo Dome Building Workshop
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Earth Day Celebration at Campus Lake

Morning | 10AM Opening Plenary Panel • Venue: Guyon Auditorium

• Opening plenary panel with invited speakers exploring Buckminster Fuller’s legacy, Earth Day history, sustainability, and relevance of design science today. Intro to the World Game and World Resource Simulation.

Late Morning to Afternoon | Student Sustainability and Design Science Programming

• SIU Green Fund awards with student project showcases and discussions. Concurrent panels and conversations connecting sustainability, education, and design science.

Afternoon | 12PM Bamboo Dome Build • Location: Front of Morris Library

• Participatory bamboo dome build led by Kurt Pryzbilla, serving as a visible Earth Day installation and hands on learning experience.

Evening | 6PM Earth Day Gathering at the Lake • Location: Bucky’s Haven & Boat Dock

• Outdoor Earth Day gathering featuring the lighting of Bucky’s Haven, music, and community celebration. Details to be announced.

9:30 AM – 4:00 PM – The World Game (SIU Recreation Center)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Art & Archives Reception (Sharp Museum, Faner Hall)

Daytime | 9:30AM World Game • Venue: SIU Recreation Center

• Opening declaration and orientation followed by World Game Sessions I and II, facilitated by Ben Lowder. Boxed lunch provided for participants. Participation is limited to ensure depth of engagement. Advance registration is required. After registering, please email [email protected] to secure your spot.

Concurrent Programming

• Panels and discussions on the World Game’s history and current relevance, including global systems, shared resources, and geopolitical context. Dome Home tours & opportunities to observe portions of the World Game.

Evening | 6:30PM Art and Archives Reception • Venue: Sharp Museum, Faner Hall

• Exhibition of Buckminster Fuller artifacts alongside contemporary artworks inspired by Fuller. Reception and remarks, with the possibility of local music offerings following.

9:30 AM – 4:00 PM – World Resources Simulation Center (College of Arts & Media, Studio B) *Participation is limited to ensure depth of engagement. Advance registration is required. After registering, please email [email protected] to secure your spot.
6:30 PM – Evening Performance: The History and Mystery of the Universe (Varsity Theater)

Daytime | 9:30AM World Resources Simulation Center • Venue: College of Arts and Media, Studios A and B.

• Interactive simulation experience exploring global challenges and local impacts, supported by concurrent panels with faculty from Geography, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, and Sustainability. Led by Peter Miesen and colleagues, the simulation emphasizes collaboration, practical systems literacy, and shared responsibility.

Late Afternoon to Evening | Illinois State Science Fair Visit • Venue: SIU Student Center

• Interactive design science displays and engagement with Illinois State Science Fair students. Activities led by Kurt Pryzbilla with support from SIU student volunteers.

Evening | 6:30PM Opening Play Performance • Venue: Varsity Theater

• Opening performance of Buckminster Fuller, The History and Mystery of the Universe, a play about Buckminster Fuller by Doug Jacobs. Ticketed event separate from conference registration. The venue for the play is the historic Varsity Theater in Carbindale IL. Tickets will be available at The Varsity Theater

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Community Programming (Fuller Dome Home & Visitor Center)
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Conversation with the Playwright (D.W. Jacobs) and Steve Falcone
6:30 PM – Evening Play Performance: The History and Mystery of the Universe. The venue for the play is the historic Varsity Theater in Carbindale IL. Tickets will be available at The Varsity Theater

Morning to Afternoon | 11AM Community Day at the Dome

• Progressive tours of the Fuller Dome Home and Visitor Center, family friendly design science activities, and informal community engagement.

9:30 AM – Morning Reception
10:00 AM – Design Science Studio Showcase
1:00 PM – Matinee Performance: The History and Mystery of the Universe

The venue for the play is the historic Varsity Theater in Carbindale IL. Tickets will be available at The Varsity Theater

4:30 PM – Closing Gathering
6:00 PM – Festival Concludes

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Southern Illinois University, 605 Agriculture Drive, Carbondale, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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