Exhibition „Designers in Residence 2026“

The „Designers in Residence 2026“ exhibition at EMMA – Kreativzentrum Pforzheim showcases design projects by floor berkhout from the Netherlands, Hanna-Katri Eskelinen from Sweden and Minerva Skyttä from Finland, who spent three months in Pforzheim as part of the „Designers in Residence“ fellowship programme.

floor berkhout In her work, she explores the possibilities for representing complex information infrastructures, as well as the parallels between coding and weaving. Building on her research into feminist computing practices and permacomputing, Berkhout developed a tactile server made from textiles and conductive materials during her residency in Pforzheim, which makes technological processes physically and visually comprehensible through an installation-based approach.

The illustrator, animator and graphic designer Hanna-Katri Eskelinen In her work, she envisions an alternative, sustainable future. She has used the fellowship to explore the concept of ecotopia – an ecologically ideal vision of a society in harmony with nature. Using a collective and multidisciplinary approach that combines illustration and animation with ceramics, Eskelinen has created a space that enables people to collectively dream up new visions of an egalitarian and compassionate future.

The fashion designer Minerva Skyttä specialises in innovative and sculptural knitwear, with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and contemporary design. During her residency, she created a sculptural knitwear collection, which she produced using a knitting technique she developed herself. Skytta’s designs emerge spontaneously during the knitting process on a traditional mechanical knitting machine and cannot be reproduced. She used her time in Pforzheim in particular to further develop her knitting technique using mechanical methods and new materials.

When: 27 June – 12 July 2026
Opening hours: Thu-Sat 2pm-7pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Where: EMMA - Creative Centre Pforzheim, Emma-Jaeger-Straße 20, 75175 Pforzheim
Free admission

Summer of Cultures

The 2026 Summer of Cultures is returning to the rooftop of the Emma Creative Centre in Pforzheim.
Three weeks, 18 artists, a place for people to come together.
From 26 June to 12 July, the ‘Summer of Cultures’ will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on the EMMA rooftop. Entry is free. There will be one or two DJ sets every day. The musical spectrum ranges from electronic music, house, ambient, downtempo and IDM to reggae, funk, soul and disco. This is complemented by sounds from different cultures and languages around the world. Mostly off the beaten track, this is music that is rather rare and less well known to the general public. The line-up also includes artist collectives.
The programme will be accompanied by a selection of culinary delights throughout the event, as well as a bar serving chilled drinks. All under the open sky, with views over the city.

The Summer of Cultures is an open meeting place that brings together generations, people and cultures. Whether you’re on your own, with family or with friends, there’s room for everyone here.

26 June – 12 July 2026
Friday & Saturday: 6 pm–midnight
Sunday: 4 pm–9 pm

on the roof terrace of EMMA – Creative Centre Pforzheim

ALFONS & EMMA

Neighbourhood festival on the Enz

On Sunday, 5 July 2026, the diversity of the creative quarter on the banks of the Enz will once again come together at EMMA – Pforzheim Creative Centre, A.K.T. and the Faculty of Design at Pforzheim University: From 11 am to 6 pm, the „Alfons & EMMA. Neighbourhood Festival on the Enz“ invites you to enjoy a relaxed day by the Enz with exhibitions, music, children’s activities, food and drink.

At EMMA – Kreativzentrum Pforzheim, the final exhibition of the international „Designers in Residence“ fellowship programme showcases three exciting design projects by floor berkhout from the Netherlands, Hanna-Katri Eskelinen from Sweden and Minerva Skyttä from Finland.

At the A.K.T., the closing event for the interdisciplinary exhibition „IN DER HEIMAT ZU GAST“ – which explores the themes of migration and identity – will take place, and as part of “Theater@A.K.T”, members of the Pforzheim Theatre ensemble will once again be making a guest appearance.

Also joining us is the Rakarsa Foundation from Bandung, Indonesia, which will be providing an insight into its partnership with the EMMA – Creative Centre and the Faculty of Design at Pforzheim University, as well as the „Silaturahmi“ project.

The nearby restaurants, Café Roland and Gentlemans Blend, treat visitors to Vietnamese, Korean and Turkish specialities, coffee, cakes and cocktails, which can be enjoyed to the relaxing music of Sense Collective. The Stadtjugendring is on site with activities for children, and Daria Schroth invites young and old alike to take part in a hands-on circus. Various stalls offer handmade products, photographic art and henna.

Exhibition

„A guest at home“

Migration and identity are among the central topics of current socio-political discourse. They are often characterised by a lack of objectivity and polemics, with political interests taking centre stage instead of socially unifying discussions.

We are living in a post-migrant era. As a country of immigration, Germany has been shaped over the last 70 years by people who have immigrated from different cultural backgrounds. Their children have been socialised here and are a natural and participatory part of society. Nevertheless, their identity and affiliation is constantly being questioned. Although they are at home in Germany, they are judged by their migration history, experience discrimination and are perceived as „different“ both in their own country and in their parents' home country. Their identity is ascribed from the outside and their belonging is questioned from more than one side; their homeland is a liminal space.

The interdisciplinary exhibition „In der Heimat zu Gast“ shows the positions of creative artists who see Germany as their home and are a participatory part of society. They make a significant contribution to the cultural landscape and thus to democratic emancipation. They convey the realisation that migrant culture is an essential element in shaping our cultural history.

Artistic direction: Janusz Czech

Exhibition „A guest at home“
25.04.-05.07.2026
Opening hours: Fri & Sat 2pm - 7pm, Sun 11am - 7pm
Where: at A.K.T; Theaterstraße 21, 75175 Pforzheim

Using AI tools creatively and legally compliantly

Discover the world of AI technology and navigate the legal landscape with confidence (online)

In this interactive online seminar, information designer Daniela Vey and Dr Carsten Ulbricht guide participants through the dynamic world of artificial intelligence. From a basic introduction to in-depth applications of various AI tools, this seminar covers creative, technical and legal aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
The seminar is ideal for beginners and experienced users from creative industries who want to acquire both technical skills and legal expertise in order to use AI technologies responsibly and successfully in their projects.

Tuesday, 30 June 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Speakers Daniela Vey, infodesignerin.de, Stuttgart | Dr Carsten Ulbricht, Menold Bezler, Stuttgart
Participation fee 60€ plus VAT, students 35€ plus VAT.
Number of participants max. 30 persons
Registration until 28 June 2026 at mfg.de/va/kitools-3006

Future Flow

Illustration workshop on textile

How do we imagine a home? Which cities do we dream of? Pforzheim is a city characterised by its ability to constantly reinvent itself. From its historical roots to its post-war reconstruction, the urban landscape has always been a canvas for change. But who decides what happens next?

We invite you to take part in a collaborative action. As part of the visual research project on ecotopias* by Hanna-Katri Eskelinen - one of three Designers in Residence 2026 scholarship holders - two large-format fabric panels will transform the bridge crossing into a place of collective discourse.

We encourage you to contribute your perspective through illustrations, texts or colours. Join us and create a vision for a fairer urban future!

When: Thursday, 21.05.2026, 16:00 - 19:00 hrs

Where: Inselsteg (bridge near the theatre street), Pforzheim

ParticipationOpen to all, free of charge

Organisers: Hanna-Katri Eskelinen and Juliane Albrecht

*eco- = from the Greek ‚oikos‘ (homeland or home)

-topia = from the Greek ‚topos‘ (place)

Individual coaching

The individual coaching sessions are aimed at self-employed people in the creative sector at all stages of their business. In 60 minutes, individual issues relating to your own company can be discussed, from reviewing the business plan and developing marketing and sales strategies to preparing a pitch.

29 April 2026

10.00 / 11.00 / 12.00 a.m.

Further dates on request at info@emma-pf.de

Coach Sandra Volz, Managing Director FCC - Career Factory, Pforzheim
Participation fee 30€ plus VAT.
Duration 60 minutes

Registration under https://veranstaltungen.emma-pf.de/events/coaching-2904/

Creative founding compact

Anyone who wants to start a label, work as a freelancer or set up a team is confronted with many questions, from formalities and legal principles to the right market entry strategy and financing options such as subsidies or contact with banks, investors and crowdfunding. The seminar provides a compact overview of the most important basics relating to setting up a business in the creative sector.

29 April 2026, 4-8 p.m.

Referent Sandra Volz, Managing Director FCC - Career Factory, Pforzheim

Participation fee free of charge, sponsored by RKW Baden-Württemberg

Number of participants 4-15 persons

Registration until 29 April 2026 at https://veranstaltungen.emma-pf.de/events/kreativ-gruenden-2904/

Vernissage

„A guest at home“

24.04.2026
7 pm
at A.K.T; Theaterstraße 21, 75175 Pforzheim

Welcome: Janusz Czech, Artistic Director A.K.T;

Talk with artists of the exhibition.
Moderation: Janusz Czech

Performance by Anand Angarag on the evening of the vernissage.
9 pm Concert/ Performance by GÜLDESTE [Crossover Pop]

The exhibition is open on the evening of the vernissage from 7pm to 10pm.

Design tour in the Dillweißenstein district