In 2026, Design Bay Area marks a major milestone: 20 years of San Francisco Design Week—and we’re celebrating by expanding the moment into something bigger, bolder, and more collective than ever before.
Introducing the Year of Design: a year-long, region-wide celebration of the Bay Area’s creative spirit. From January through December 2026, the Year of Design under the theme of Multitudes: The Power of Plurality, will activate cities and towns, neighborhoods, storefronts, studios, and public spaces across the Bay Area with exhibitions, installations, conversations, workshops, and participatory experiences—culminating in a flagship showcase during San Francisco Design Week in June.
This initiative honors two decades of design leadership while looking firmly ahead—spotlighting how design and art shape culture, community, innovation, and everyday life. Events will take place across the San Francisco Bay Area: South Bay/Silicon Valley, North Bay, East Bay and San Francisco.
How to Participate in The Year of Design
The Year of Design is intentionally open and collaborative because the Bay Area’s creative ecosystem has always thrived on exchange, experimentation, and shared visibility. Designers, artists, architects, makers, educators, students, and cultural organizations are invited to take part in a variety of ways.
You might show up by:
- Opening your Doors
Host a studio open house, workshop, panel, performance, or hands-on experience that invites the community into your practice. - Making work visible
Apply for curated exhibitions, public installations, window displays, or pop-ups across the region. - Adding your voice to the story
Be featured through Year of Design storytelling platforms highlighting Bay Area–made work, process, and perspective. - Cross-pollinating disciplines
Collaborate with designers, artists, brands, nonprofits, schools, or civic partners to create something new. - Stepping forward as the next generation
Students and emerging creatives can participate through mentorship, open calls, and collaborative projects designed to amplify new voices.
Whether you’re independent or institutional, established or emerging, the Year of Design is a chance to be part of something larger than a single event. Just like this years theme, Multitudes: The Power of Plurality!
Together, we’re not just celebrating 20 years—we’re shaping the future of design in the Bay Area.
This is a once-in-a-generation moment for Bay Area design
Call for Participation open soons, with more coming! Follow Design Bay Area for announcements, deadlines, and ways to get involved.
What Participation Includes:
Your Year of Design contribution includes includes:
- Listing on the official Year of Design calendar
- Promotion through Design Bay Area newsletters and social channels
- Eligibility for curated showcases and featured storytelling
- Inclusion in press and regional visibility efforts
- Connection to a cross-disciplinary creative network spanning the Bay Area
- A documented role in the 20-year legacy of Design Bay Area
Your participation and one-time donation of $35 or more helps support the infrastructure required to curate, promote, and sustain a year-long, region-wide celebration and ensures that participating projects receive meaningful visibility.
Participation is curated to ensure alignment, quality, and care across the Year of Design experience. Design Bay Area reserves the right to refund applications which do not meet our criteria in supporting our mission.
YEAR OF DESIGN: PARTICIPATION FAQ
Who can participate?
Designers, artists, architects, makers, students, educators, studios, collectives, nonprofits, brands, and cultural institutions working in or connected to the Bay Area.
How can I participate?
You can participate by:
- Hosting an event, workshop, panel, or studio activation
- Applying for an exhibition, installation, or public-facing project
- Collaborating with other creatives or organizations
- Sharing your work or story through Year of Design features
- Participating as a student or emerging creative through mentorship or open calls
Do I need to be a Design Bay Area member?
No—many opportunities will be open to the broader community.
However, Design Bay Area members receive early access, priority consideration, and additional visibility.
Is there a theme for the Year of Design?
Multitudes: The power of plurality created for us by Pact Studio. The overarching focus is celebrating the Bay Area’s design and art community—past, present, and future. Specific programs may explore themes such as community, sustainability, craft, innovation, and social good.
Are there fees to participate?
Participation details vary by program. A one-time $35 application fee applies to Year of Design event submissions and covers administrative costs to publish your event on the Year of Design Calendar. (Fee is waived for Design Bay Area Members).
San Francisco Design Week programs may include additional application fees, scaled by studio size, to help support production, promotion, and venue-related costs.
All fees and requirements will be clearly outlined in each individual call for participation.
Can I host my own event under the Year of Design umbrella?
Yes. Independent events aligned with the Year of Design mission may be eligible to be listed, promoted, and included in the official calendar. A $35 application fee applies.
The application fee is waived for Design Bay Area Members.
Will my project be promoted?
Selected projects and programs will be promoted through Design Bay Area channels, including the website, calendar, newsletters, social media, and press outreach.
When do applications open?
Participation opportunities will roll out in phases. Members receive early notice, followed by public calls.
How do I stay informed?
Sign up for Design Bay Area updates and follow along on social media for announcements, deadlines, and featured projects.
Interested in sponsoring the Year of Design?
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Contact us
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Thank you
Celebrating 20 years means celebrating the community that has helped build, support, and sustain our mission every step of the way. This includes you! We especially want to share our gratitude for the late August de los Reyes, our Design Ambassadors, and the support of our partners MuchoSF, Manual, Pact Studio, Hybrid-Design, Adobe, IRG Stone, Flowers Winery, Anthropic, Rivian, Whipsaw, Faulkner Architects, Podesta Construction, Stoev Design Group, Ciel Creative Space, FourOneNine, Tiya, GaeaStar, Retronyms, Bay Area Made, Chef Tu, Golden Rule Cocktails, Fort Point Beer, and Robert Half.