#COP29 #BE OPEN #Switzerland #Lugano #Elena Baturina

BE OPEN Foundation Strengthens Its Commitment to Sustainability

In a notable announcement made during COP29, the BE OPEN Foundation declared its commitment to prioritize sustainability in all its programs and projects from 2025 onward. Founded by Elena Baturina, the organization has dedicated the past 12 years to fostering innovation and supporting creative visions across various fields to pave the way for a better future. Baturina emphasized the urgency of adapting to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by adopting a broader and more inclusive approach.

Expansion of Programs

Starting in 2025, the online gallery BE OPEN Art will continue to champion emerging artists globally, facilitating their visibility and helping them find their place within the creative community. The gallery will focus on works that promote social awareness and offer artistic solutions addressing the pressing issues faced in today's world.

Furthermore, BE OPEN plans to enhance its regional competition by expanding to four new areas, allowing a greater number of emerging artists to showcase their regional and ethnic identities. This initiative aims to amplify the diversity of talents featured within the gallery.

In line with fostering a supportive community, BE OPEN will continue to implement initiatives such as “Artists for Artists,” providing valuable, actionable insights from both successful and less established artists. This initiative is designed to nurture a healthy and collaborative environment rooted in the principles of BE OPEN Art.

Community Support Fund

The foundation also launched the Community Support Fund in 2024, which serves as a non-profit mechanism for mutual financial assistance. Monthly winners receive cash grants derived from the sales of selected artworks, providing additional funds to support up-and-coming artists in their pursuit of successful careers in the arts.

BE OPEN envisions enabling artists to pursue their creative journeys while encouraging audiences to purchase art not merely as collectors but as patrons supporting the future of fellow artists. Alongside this initiative, a new gallery area will be dedicated to sustainable and inclusive art, featuring the online competition Art Limitless, along with lectures, masterclasses, and other educational resources promoting sustainability in the arts.

Educational Initiatives

The BE OPEN Academy strives to provide young aspirants seeking careers in creative disciplines with a holistic understanding of the creative educational landscape. It offers rooms for expert opinions, mentoring, and specialized projects.

In 2025, the focus will be particularly on future studies and education for sustainable development. Collaborating with educational institutions, BE OPEN aims to build a comprehensive database of courses and recommendations catering to the needs of teachers and students, facilitating the integration of topics like climate change, poverty alleviation, and biodiversity into diverse curricula. They aspire to implement teaching methodologies that inspire students towards sustainable actions.

Engaging Global Communities

With regard to global design competitions for students, BE OPEN will expand its challenges to engage youth in addressing the current, urgent issues defined by the United Nations' SDGs. Through ongoing initiatives like Designing Futures 2050, BE OPEN continues to reward younger creatives for their contributions in developing solutions aimed at reshaping our systems and fostering better conditions for a fair and ecologically sound world.

This strategic shift towards sustainability in all initiatives not only positions BE OPEN Foundation as a pivotal player in the global art landscape but also showcases its commitment to nurturing future generations of artists equipped to tackle the pressing challenges of our time.

With the enhancement of these programs, BE OPEN is optimistic about bringing a new wave of creativity and social impact through art and education, prioritizing sustainability as a core principle in every endeavor moving forward.