REFRESH 2026 in San Francisco
REFRESH, running from March 4 to 7, 2026 in San Francisco, is a festival exploring the intersection of Arts, Design & Technology. The 2026 edition of REFRESH is a partnership between the Department of Design and the Immersive Arts Space of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), and Swissnex in San Francisco. The festival will feature keynotes, masterclasses and an exhibition – bringing together acclaimed designers, artists, and researchers from Switzerland and the US to envision possible futures and new fields of action for design and the arts. REFRESH San Francisco will focus on «Algorithmic Entanglements», reflecting the impact of digital technologies on society and the planetary well-being. The line up highlights the crucial role of creative practitioners and thinkers engaging critically and responsibly with digital transformation.
REFRESH is an initiative of the Department of Design and the Immersive Arts Space of the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK)
TEAM
Head of REFRESH
Prof. Dr. Chris Salter
Maike Thies
Curation
Maike Thies
Identity / Motion Design
Abhash Mittal
Exhibition Engineering
Johannes Reck
Technical Manager
Stefan Kraft
Hospitality Management
Leonie Blasi
Communication & Public Relations
Maike Thies
Anna Tschopp
PARTNERS
REFRESH is supported by the following partners:
Swissnex in San Francisco
IFCO
Immersive Arts Space
Institute for Design Research ZHdK
International Affairs ZHdK
Swiss Centre for Responsible AI (DIZH)
FREITAG
SPECIAL THANKS TO
ZHdK
Prof. Marijke Hogenboom
Prof. Hansuli Matter
Corina Zuberbühler
Swissnex San Francisco
Emilia Pasquier
Andrea Cross
Lucas Hagin
Kent Long
Elodie Malonga
Diego Riva
