Dazed and Converse have joined forces to launch Open to Change, a partnership designed to increase opportunities, education and the support available to the next generation hoping to break into the creative industries.

With a focus on creating visibility for underrepresented communities, Open to Change will leverage the industry impact of both Converse and Dazed to deliver tangible opportunities for the changemakers of tomorrow and look at what’s next for the creative industry.

The Open to Change digital hub will live on Dazeddigitial.com, offering educational resources for young creatives, mentorship from those at the top of the industry, paid creative commissions and a series of events over the next 12 months.

Dazed and Converse are kicking off the partnership by inviting Samuel Ross, creative director of A-COLD-WALL* and Converse collaborator, to explore the important question of ‘how to turn a creative idea into a business?’.

Ross has selected eight BIPOC creatives from the Converse All Stars program, who he will mentor and share insights with, inviting them to develop their business ideas in a series of 60-90 minutes-long workshops, co-hosted by his network of collaborators.

“It’s important for the next generation to know that any creative idea can become a business. By being exposed to leaders from across the industry you develop your knowledge and start to understand there’s a red thread. All the creatives who are changing the game work hard, understand collaboration and community, and never give up when they hit barriers in the road – knowing that when they started out it was up to them to shape their own futures” Samuel Ross says.

In addition, Dazed and Converse will continue their long-standing partnership with the launch of this year’s Dazed 100, an annual list of 100 people shaping youth culture by powering change in their local community with global impact.

Selected by the Dazed team and Dazed 100 alumni, those chosen this year will be given the opportunity to share their ideas and projects across Dazed’s channels. Using public votes and the Dazed team to help select a winner, Converse will fund an idea proposed by one of the Dazed 100 with a $30,000 grant and commission five talents to contribute to Dazed Digital.

Get involved with Open to Change here

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