From “unicorn hunters” to Indigenous collaborations, the Benilde Open launches an exciting lineup of talks, workshops, and exhibitions
If there’s something that sets the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde apart, it’s their programs that make a career in the arts practical and accessible for all aspiring creatives. The school constantly pushes practitioners to make creative change. And for this first edition of the Benilde Open, the school is presenting a series of programs that demonstrate art with a purpose.
Running from June 25 to 28, 2024, the school is opening its Design + Arts campus for a four-day series of programs that features design gurus reimagining urban spaces and government representatives making spaces for culture in the country, among others.
#thefutureiscreative on June 25
Where is creativity headed in the country? This roundtable discussion will explore the current creative landscape in the Philippines, with its trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Speakers include national trailblazers Toff De Venecia, congressman of Pangasinan and former child actor, writer, director, and theater producer; Pauline Juan, former executive director for the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions; and Erwin Romulo, renegade writer, editor, music producer, and creative consultant.
The discussion will be moderated by Andrei Pamintuan of the British Council Philippines.
Unleashing Unicorns on June 26
Ever wonder how those mythical billion-dollar startups are born? This talk will explore the quest for local startup success stories, especially those in the artistic fields.
Giving the inside scoop will be speakers ingrained in the world of venture capital and startup investments: Jojo Flores, co-founder of Plug and Play Tech Center and Launchgarage Innovation Hub, Jay Fajardo, executive director of Ideaspace Ventures and QBO Innovation, Franco Varona, managing partner of Foxmont Capital Partners, and Paulo Campos, founding managing general partner of Kaya Founders.
Working with Local Artisans and Indigenous Peoples in Design on June 28
For those with a passion for design, and particularly Indigenous artisans, this talk will delve into the unique experiences of designers, institutions and companies working with artisans and Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
Benilde Open grantee Rambie Lim and Mahalina Foundation president Dr. Patricia Araneta will explore how we can be mindful of protecting the rights and safeguarding the culture of artisans and IPs, while collaborating with them to actualize creative endeavors.
The pair will be joined by a lawyer specializing in intellectual property rights.
How to Make a Great Place on June 28
On the same day, there will be a workshop on defining “space of belonging” titled “How to Make a Great Place.” The workshop will be led by Arch. Katz Odulio of Kronos Design Studio. Participants will be asked to reimagine existing spaces within the college campus, asking “What can you do here?”
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Additionally, for the aspiring art world movers and shakers, MCAD Manila is hosting a curatorial incubator that aims to develop curatorial practices, process, exhibition design, and audience engagement strategies.
With such riveting programs open to the public, Benilde opens up room for creatives with ideas that might just reshape the future.
The speakers and mentors include a range of esteemed curators from the Philippines as well as the US, the UK, Thailand, Taiwan, and Korea.
Aside from the public programs, the cutting-edge, purposeful, and often moving exhibitions in the Benilde Open will run until June 29, 2024.
For more information, visit open.benilde.edu.ph.