BE OPEN Academy is an educational online platform, that originated in BE OPEN’s own research of traditional offline design and architecture courses offered by schools worldwide (BE OPEN D&A Courses Ranking). The research was made in order to develop an objective picture of the global creative education landscape, and offer it to those who will benefit from it – young people who aspire to build professional careers in creative disciplines. With time, the research has turning into something bigger – a universal source of information on both traditional and online educational opportunities, enriched with space for expert opinion, mentoring, discussion, special projects, and BE OPEN’s own unique content.
BE OPEN Foundation was set up by international entrepreneur and philanthropist Elena Baturina in 2012. It is a cultural and social initiative which aims to become a bridge between the great minds of our time – philosophers, sociologists, designers, architects, artists, publishers, writers, businessmen and opinion leaders – and the promising new minds of the next generation through a system of conferences, competitions, exhibitions, master classes and art events.
Since its founding, BE OPEN has been exploring unique ways of fostering creativity and innovation to support a better future. The foundation has implemented its programmes and projects globally; its bespoke exhibitions, talks and forums have taken place in the UK, US, Italy, Switzerland and India, and been witnessed by over 130,000 people. More than 740 designers have been involved in the foundation’s projects. BE OPEN has also been actively cooperating with international brands, educational and cultural institutions, and state bodies in various countries of the world.
We are here to help brillant young creatives shape the future
“I created the BE OPEN foundation to allow people to experience new ways of seeing. The aim is to help brilliant young creatives to shape the future.
Our commitment is to become a bridge between the great minds of our time – philosophers, sociologists, designers, architects, artists, writers, businessmen and opinion leaders — and the promising new minds of the next generation.
Through exhibitions, talks and awards we explore the four corners of the earth to find unique things, special ways of thinking and to approach creativity.
We support emerging talent, the all important next generation, because we think it is crucial that young people are exposed to inspiring ideas today, ideas they can evolve to improve on our future. The Young Talent Award is BE OPEN’s way to help young professionals being free to develop their creative thinking.
We act as an incubator for ideas, a fertile piece of land where projects can be nurtured and realized. We are planning a whole series of activities to gather ideas for innovative approahes and to help visions to come to life. Our programmes are unconventional: we want to promote growth and progress not through engineering or science, but through creativity – and design, in particular – which could become a key component to social development and is already so inherent to our lives.”
Elena Baturina, BE OPEN Founder
Elena Baturina graduated from the Moscow Management Institute. She has extensive experience in industrial management. Born into a simple, working class family, Elena Baturina is a self-made woman who, as a pioneering Russian entrepreneur, created one of the country’s leading development corporations, Inteco. She sold Inteco in 2011, but continues to expand her business in the sphere of hospitality, investments and development internationally. Elena has been active role in charitable causes for many years, supporting important projects in the field of culture, education, arts, design and sports internationally.
More at beopenfuture.com