Making the World Work for 100% of Humanity.

Fuller Futures Festival 2026

April 22–26, 2026

SIU Carbondale & Fuller Dome Home Museum

Call for Trimtabs

We are the architects of a design science revolution. Inspired by R. Buckminster Fuller, we apply whole-systems thinking to solve the world’s most urgent challenges.

Origins

Why We Exist

Why We Exist

“The World Game” wasn’t just a simulation; it was a challenge to humanity. While the world’s powers played "War Games" to see who could conquer whom, Bucky proposed a game where the goal was to make everyone a winner.

Today, we continue that game. We don't view the planet's issues as a lack of resources, but as a crisis of design. We are here to re-design the systems of "Spaceship Earth" so that they work for everyone, without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.

The Legacy

The Verb Called "Bucky"

R. Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) was one of the 20th century's most prolific inventors and visionaries. He didn't want to be a "noun"—a static thing—but a "verb"—an evolutionary process.

1927

The turning point where Bucky committed his life to the service of humanity.

1946

Patenting the Dymaxion Map (the first to show the world without distortion).

1961

The launch of the World Design Science Decade.

Today

Our organization carries this torch forward into the 21st century.

2026

The Festival Returns Home

Southern Illinois University Carbondale hosted Fuller from 1959 to 1971, years when his most transformative work took shape. We're bringing the World Game back to where it was nurtured.

The SIM Center advantage

Technology has evolved since Fuller's time, but his core insight remains unchanged. Our SIM Center uses advanced visualization and data modeling to make the invisible visible, letting players see the consequences of their decisions in real time.

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Participate

Three Ways To Engage With The Game

Whether you're a first-time player or someone who's studied Fuller's work for years, there's a role for you. Choose the level of involvement that fits your schedule and interests.

Share

Share your work and ideas

Proposals welcome from artists, designers, educators, and thinkers

Play

Engage with the World Game

Test solutions and strategies for global challenges

Learn

SIM Center and workshop opportunities

Deep dives into design science and systems thinking

Learn systems thinking

The World Game teaches you to see connections others miss. You'll understand how decisions in one sector ripple through the entire global system.

Build lasting networks

You'll work alongside artists, scientists, designers, and educators from around the world. These collaborations often extend far beyond the festival.

Create real-world impact

The solutions generated during the festival inform actual projects and initiatives. Your thinking becomes part of the work to make the world work for everyone.

Are you ready to play?

he manual for Spaceship Earth is still being written. Join us in the Design Science Revolution.

Fuller Futures Festival 2026

Call For Proposals

Join Fuller Futures Festival 2026 at SIU Carbondale. A global call for proposals re-igniting Buckminster Fuller’s World Game. We welcome ideas that unite art, science, and design to shape a sustainable future. Submit your proposal and be part of the convergence.

Questions

Everything you need to know about participating

What is the World Game?

Fuller's World Game is a collaborative design simulation that brings together diverse minds to solve real-world problems. Players work in teams to allocate global resources and address critical challenges facing humanity. It remains one of the most powerful tools for systems thinking and creative problem-solving ever developed.

Who can participate?

Artists, designers, educators, scientists, and thinkers of all backgrounds are welcome. You don't need prior experience with the World Game or expertise in any particular field. What matters is your willingness to engage seriously with complex problems and collaborate with others.

How long does it take?

Sessions vary in length depending on the format and depth of play. Most World Game experiences at the festival run between two and six hours. You can participate in multiple sessions throughout the festival if you wish.

What happens in the SIM Center?

The SIM Center is where the World Game comes alive with advanced visualization and data tools. Players use interactive technology to model scenarios and see the real-time consequences of their decisions. It's where theory meets practice and imagination meets evidence.

Do I need to prepare?

No special preparation is required. We'll provide all the context and guidance you need when you arrive. Come with an open mind and a willingness to think differently about the world's challenges.

What will I learn?

You'll gain insight into systems thinking, global resource distribution, and design science principles. More importantly, you'll experience firsthand how collaboration and creative thinking can generate solutions to seemingly impossible problems. The lessons extend far beyond the game itself.