Composing Futures: Creative Impact on Eco-Social Transformation
6–7 November 2026
mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Wien
© Huebener
Composing Futures: Creative Impact on Eco-Social Transformation
In the framework of Wien Modern
How can artistic practice contribute to eco-social transformation? Composing Futures brings together artists, cultural workers, researchers, policymakers, and audiences for two days of exchange, experimentation, and collaboration.
Through artistic contributions, discussions, workshops, and co-creation labs, the forum explores cultural labour, environmental sustainability, participation, and alternative ways of organising and sustaining cultural practice.
Moderation: Julia Herzog & Dominik Förtsch
Friday, 6 November
09:00–09:30 | Networking Coffee & Registration
09:30–09:40 | Opening Artistic Contribution
Belma Bešlić-Gál: Pod zemljom (excerpt)
09:40–10:10 | Welcome & Official Opening
Gerda Müller, Vice-Rector, mdw
Sabine Reiter, mica – music austria
Aleksandra Bajde, Internationale Gesellschaft für Neue Musik – Sektion Österreich / Culture and Sustainability Lab
10:10–10:15 | Collective Breathing Exercise
Marie Helle
10:15–10:45 | Artistic Provocation
Ricardo Tovar Mateus
10:45–11:00 | Coffee Break
11:00–12:00 | Dialogue Session
What Cultural Futures Do We Need for Eco-Social Transformation?
Moderation: Manuel Rivera
Contributors:
Eva-Maria Bauer, City of Vienna – Culture
Belma Bešlić-Gál, Zvjezdane Staze
Simon Zöchbauer, SOIL (to be confirmed)
12:00–12:30 | Audience Dialogue & Collective Reflection
12:30–14:00 | Lunch Break
14:00–14:15 | Artistic Intervention
Samu Gryllus: Sound Painting
14:15–15:15 | Good Practice Inputs
Artists and cultural practitioners share approaches to sustainability, collaboration, and eco-social change.
Gwendolenn Sharp, GreenBeat Nexus
Maria Rylander, Knutpunkt
Emma Axberg, one eARTh
Sara Stevanović
Michael Hrustelj
15:15–15:30 | Coffee Break
15:30–17:00 | Parallel Workshops
Participants choose one of three parallel workshops.
Workshop 1 | Environmental Sustainability & Regenerative Cultural Practice
Gwendolenn Sharp, The Green Room / GreenBeat Nexus
Workshop 2 | Art, Social Transformation, Participation & Collective Imagination
Julia Herzog & Tereza Sýkorová, arts of change
Workshop 3 | Economics, Value Systems, Cultural Labour & Alternative Futures
Sven Hartberger, Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie
17:00–17:30 | Sharing Insights, Future Collaborations & Networking
Facilitated by: Manuel Rivera
19:00 | Concert: SOIL
Separate registration required.
Saturday, 7 November
09:30–09:45 | Welcome Back & Introduction to the Co-Creation Labs
09:45–11:15 | Co-Creation Labs I
Participants choose one of two parallel labs.
Lab 1 | Counter-Promise Scores
Ricardo Tovar Mateus
Lab 2 | Audience Development
Matic Gajšek
11:15–11:30 | Coffee Break
11:30–12:15 | World Café
12:15–13:45 | Lunch Break
13:45–14:00 | Re-Gathering & Introduction to the Afternoon Labs
14:00–15:30 | Co-Creation Labs II
Participants choose one of two parallel labs.
Lab 3 | Listening as Method: Curating Listening
Orsolya Kaincz
Lab 4 | Creative Entrepreneurship as Agency
Marie-Theres Zirm
15:30–15:45 | Coffee Break
15:45–16:30 | Sharing Lab Outcomes & Future Initiatives
16:30–17:00 | Closing Reflections & Outlook
Facilitated by: Julia Herzog
Programme subject to change.
Registration
Registration includes participation in the forum, snacks, coffee, and soup for lunch. Additional lunch options can be purchased at the mdw Mensa on Friday or at nearby cafés and restaurants. Separate registration is required for the SOIL concert.
Please register by 1 November 2026: Register here.
Concept and Organisation
Aleksandra Bajde
Internationale Gesellschaft für Neue Musik – Sektion Österreich / Culture and Sustainability Lab
Birgit Huebener
Doris Weberberger
in cooperation with
supported by
Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport
City of Vienna Culture
