October 1st–8th, 2026 · Santa Barbara
environmental edition
New & Emerging Technologies in the Hands of Artists
The second annual symposium and public art exhibition exploring cutting-edge innovations shaping the future
Join global leaders and visionaries for a week of insights and discussions in Art, Science, and Technology. Experience breathtaking art installations and concerts, all on the spectacular Santa Barbara seaside.
Presented By
In Partnership With
Sponsored By
Supported By
Participating Science Institutions and Cultural Organizations
Hear from global AI leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs who are defining the future of artificial intelligence. Learn directly from principals at the Google Quantum Lab and Amazon AI, as well as leaders in FinTech and Medical fields.
Meet like-minded colleagues, have your core views challenged, find a mentor, become one, or secure a new collaborator. BNW is designed to maximize interactivity among a small cadre of select attendees.
Meet and interact with artists who have recently exhibited at LACMA, MOCA, the Tate, the Whitney and the Venice Biennale as they discuss their technologically informed work. Experience immersive installations and concert performances.
Audience
October 1–8, 2026
Downtown Santa Barbara
As part of Santa Barbara's monthly 1st Thursday art tour, an outdoor video projection created by local, emerging and internationally renowned artists on the west façade of the Odd Fellows Temple above the Sullivan Goss Gallery at 11 E. Anapamu St. 6:30–8:30pm. Free.
410 State Street / Music Academy of the West
Internationally renowned artists discuss and show their work in the 410 State Street building. In the evening, the program moves to the Music Academy of the West for a unique collaboration between the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony and Beatie Wolfe, with performances by Money Mark (Beastie Boys) and Gene Coleman.
410 State Street / AlloSphere
World leaders in Quantum Computing, Neuroscience and AI present their research and discuss implications for the near and long term future. In the afternoon, guests are shuttled to the UCSB campus for a guided tour of the Media Arts and Technology transLAB and a live performance by JoAnn Kuchera-Morin in the AlloSphere.
410 State Street
The final panel addresses how technologies are informing artistic, cultural and economic practices today. Our panelists include an Oscar-winning production designer, a best-selling author on AI and branding, and the Director of Amazon AGI/AI. “The Last Word” VIP reception immediately follows the last panel and welcomes local and civic dignitaries.
Featured Speakers
Meet the industry and academy leaders shaping the future of Science, Art and Technology
The Kosik lab at UCSB explores fundamental biological processes, particularly those related to the brain and its evolution. Ken will discuss "Organoids" and the lab's interest in the molecular basis of plasticity — how protein translation at the synapse affects learning, and how impairments of plasticity lead to neurodegenerative diseases.
Director of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Kevin oversees all engineering and product efforts related to Alexa and AI intelligence capabilities for Amazon Content Partners.
Director of the Art|Sci Center at UCLA, Vesna's work can be defined as experimental creative research residing between disciplines and technologies. With her installations, she investigates how communication technologies affect collective behavior and how perceptions of identity shift in relation to scientific innovation.
Named by WIRED as one of "22 people changing the world," Wolfe is at the forefront of pioneering new formats that bridge the physical and digital. Most recently, Wolfe has collaborated on three albums with legendary producer Brian Eno and has completed a film, "LA Pipe Dream," about water, its miracle, and the need for conservation.
Gene Coleman is a composer, musician and director. His most recent awards include Guest Composer at Chigiana International Festival (2026), Guest Composer at Contemporanea Monferrato (2024), and a New Jersey Arts Council Fellowship (2024). His recent research and compositions explore Neuro Music, Neuroaesthetics and Neurotechnologies.
Experimental condensed matter physicist whose UCSB group builds electronic devices from layered two-dimensional materials such as graphene to realize and measure exotic quantum states. A co-inventor of van der Waals heterostructures and 2018 New Horizons Prize in Fundamental Physics laureate, Young was named a Brown Investigator in 2024 to develop longer-lived qubits in two-dimensional materials.
The Case
Discover why Brave New Work is an exclusive event for conceptual artists, media artists, AI professionals, innovators and technology industry leaders.
Gain firsthand knowledge from top AI experts and pioneers shaping the industry.
Learn how artists and technologists have collaborated to create new experiences and breakthroughs.
The conference is designed to maximize collaboration among a small cadre of attendees and speakers. You will speak with the speakers.
Fall is the most beautiful time of year in Santa Barbara. Enjoy the city or relax at the beach between conference meetings.
Voices
“Brave New Work was one of the most unique and thought-provoking events I've ever been to. Being together with artists, creatives, scientists and all kinds of curious thinkers was inspirational.”
Gigi Flom
Senior Brand Strategist, Omnicom
“An amazing gathering of world leaders in art and technology! I had the opportunity to converse with the most interesting people I could never have corralled into one room.”
Gordy Grundy
Publisher, Art Report Today
“Forget an AI that has escaped its sandbox. BNW delivers the people guiding both the near and long term visions for technology and human interaction. Miss this symposium at your peril.”
Michael Delgado
Executive Producer, BNW 2.0
Secure your spot at BNW 2.0 2026 and help guide the future of AI innovation, art and science.
