The International Conference Design Culture(s) | Cumulus Rome 2021 has concluded. The conference hosted the thirtieth anniversary of the Cumulus Association, the only global association serving education and research in the field of art and design, which today includes over 300 major academic institutions from 56 countries.
The event was held over four days in a blended format, allowing both in-person and online participation during such a sensitive time. Thanks to the meticulous coordination of its organizers and the various technical collaborators involved, both formats fully enjoyed all the experiences promoted by the program, which gathered approximately 680 registered participants with over 350 contributions, including papers and posters, across a total of 80 parallel sessions.
The theme of the conference was organized around 10 parallel tracks designed to explore all possible approaches, methods, visions, and experiments useful in defining the different Cultures of Design.
Among the notable academic figures contributing to the rich and content-packed event were 40 track chairs, 4 keynote speakers, and personalities such as Antonella Polimeni, the Rector of Sapienza University of Rome. The cultural activities included four guided tours of some of Rome's most interesting and culturally rich spaces, such as the historic Gipsoteca of the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy at Sapienza University of Rome, the National Gallery of Modern Art, and the Botanical Garden of Rome. From the panoramic terrace of the Hotel Locarno, a lecture on Rome's historic architecture was accompanied by a special tasting of fine wines. On this occasion, 18 schools participated in the Italian Members Fair, showcasing a vision of Italian academic and scientific excellence to the world, while over 50 international schools took part in the parallel event, the New Members Fair, dedicated to recently added institutions within the Cumulus Association.
