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 technologies 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. However, the basic scientific knowledge and bioengineering tools needed for applied mycology are less developed than those of many other biotechnologies, and broad familiarity with the promise of fungi varies widely.
PROGRAMS
SCIENCE
In order to create with fungi, we need to understand their capabilities. We need accessible tools to work with them.
At Open Fung, we research collaboratively to build information, materials, methods and measures needed to work with useful fungi in new 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 and cultural practioners into our biotechnical research and our scientific work We connect to the community through residencies, artistic programs, learning opportunities and events. We believe that creative collaboration and engagement with research builds understanding, creates meaning and connects a broad constituency of people who are interested in the future of fungi and the planet. We value the cultural impact of curiosity in material-driven learning and critical thinking, values that are important to both art and science as symbiotic ways of knowing.
PARTNERS
STANFORD UNIVERSITY In 2023, Open Fung established a partnership with Stanford University’s Department of Bioengineering and Drew Endy Lab. Our co-founders are serving as Visiting Scholars during the 2023-2024 academic year. Stanford provides space and resources to further our research and build our program. Access to an incredibly rich array of resources and people has been critical for our development.