MISSION
Open Fung builds collective resources for advancing fungi technology, materials and the arts.
VISION
We envision a future where humans engage with fungi so life and the planet may flourish.
ABOUT
Open Fung seeks to create and rapidly deploy mycological utilities critical to the global circular bioeconomy. Through collaborative and networked research, Open Fung aims to radiate foundational tools and build better mushrooms for emerging mycelium bio-industries. We believe these technologies should become familiar and utilized by a much broader population, and that artists and the arts will be a critical component in their conception and adoption into the greater world.
THE CHALLENGE
Emerging fungal technologies hold deep promise for sustainable solutions in food, materials, medicine and beyond. And yet, the basic scientific knowledge and tools needed for applications are less developed than many other technologies, and many people are unfamiliar with the promise of fungi.
PROGRAMS
SCIENCE
To engage creatively with fungi, we need to understand their capabilities, and also need accessible tools in order to work with them. Open Fung creates information, materials, and other utilities for working with fungi in new and useful ways.
ART
Open Fung is an artist and scientist led organization that fosters deep engagement with fungi through applied research and the arts. We bring artists into the center of our research and scientific work. We outwardly share our support of cultural work through residencies, artistic programs, learning opportunities and events. We believe collaboration and engagement with research builds understanding, creates meaning and connects a broad constituency of people interested in the future of the planet. We value the impact of curiosity in material-driven learning and critical thinking, values that are important to both the culture of art and science as a way of knowing.
PARTNERS
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Open Fung is inaugurating its research program in partnership with Stanford University’s Department of Bioengineering and the Drew Endy Lab. Stanford provides space and resources to further our work and build our program. Access to an incredibly rich array of resources and people has been critical for our development.