PRISM Conference — Creative Collaborations & Cultural Innovations: Where Art, Science, and Entrepreneurship Converge
On Thursday, November 26, 2026, the PRISM conference will bring together stakeholders from the creative and cultural industries at the Théâtre du Crochetan in Monthey. Focused on collaborations between art, science, industry, and entrepreneurship, this year’s event will explore how creative practices can drive innovation, open up new markets, and find practical applications across various economic sectors. Lectures, case studies, demonstrations, and interactive installations will punctuate this day dedicated to the expertise and innovative initiatives of the Valais ecosystem.
From the creative industries to new technological applications
At the intersection of disciplines, creativity serves as a testing ground for developing new applications and showcasing companies’ expertise. The program for this year’s event will highlight, in particular, how digital technologies, design, and industrial expertise can come together to give rise to innovative projects.
Among the presentations and demonstrations offered:
- Necto: How the Dialogue Between Art and Industry Pushes the Boundaries of Architecture, with Pierre-Yves Bonvin and Barbara Mermoud (Steiger Participations) and Mariana Popescu (MIT), focusing on a project that combines high-tech industrial knitting, design, and architecture.
- DopaMind: When Gaming Becomes an Interactive Prevention Tool — a presentation of a project led by Conexkt and HEIG-VD for Promotion Santé Valais, which harnesses the mechanisms of immersive gaming to make scientific knowledge related to decision-making accessible.
- Interactive Media Designer: Tomorrow’s talent is being trained today with Daniel Schmid (EDHEA), who is dedicated to a new program designed to meet companies’ needs in digital creation, web development, and interactive content.
Starting at 2:30 p.m., the “Discovery” afternoon will transform the theater lobby into a space for experimentation. Participants will have the opportunity to explore video-mapping installations with Arcanel, virtual and augmented reality experiences with Génie Culturel, as well as demonstrations of artificial intelligence and robotics applied to creative work with Idiap.
For small and medium-sized enterprises in French-speaking Switzerland, this event will offer an opportunity to explore new forms of collaboration between the creative, technological, and industrial sectors. Beyond discovering solutions and expertise, the examples presented will help identify ways to diversify the applications of existing technologies, enhance the user experience, add value to products, or develop new services. It is also an opportunity to meet potential partners and discover the skills available within the regional ecosystem.
