HSE CREATIVE OPEN competition gains status in national RACA ranking

The flagship competition of the HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL, HSE CREATIVE OPEN, has been included in the calculation system for the RACA National Creativity and Efficiency Rankings for the first time. Starting in 2026, the competition will be counted in the Young segment with a weight of 3 points.

The Russian Association of Communication Agencies (RACA) has approved the list of festivals and their weightings for the 2026 National Creativity and Efficiency Rankings. The updated list now includes the HSE CREATIVE OPEN competition, organized by the HSE Art and Design School. The award has been granted the status of a Young segment festival with a weight of 3 points, meaning that participants' prize-winning places and shortlists will now contribute to the national creativity rating.

Polina Lausheva, Director of the International Competition Program at HSE Art and Design School, emphasizes the significance of this step for young professionals:

"Entering the RACA ranking is a major step toward the legitimation of young talent. Over the course of the competition, we have received more than 7,000 entries from 75 cities and 15 countries, bringing together students, graduates, experts, and industry leaders on a single platform.

Our goal has always been ambitious—to create an ecosystem where ideas are born, professional ties are forged, and the future of the creative industries is shaped. Now, participation and victory in HSE CREATIVE OPEN carry additional weight in the professional community. We are opening our tenth anniversary season with even greater confidence that our contest has become a fully-fledged entry point into the profession and a powerful tool for a career start in design, art, and fashion. We thank all participants and partners—this is our shared achievement."

Context & Background

• About RACA: The Russian Association of Communication Agencies (RACA) was established in 1993. It is a non-profit organization and the leading, largest professional union representing over 260 participants in the Russian communication services market.
• The National Creativity and Efficiency Ranking: This index evaluates companies based on points accumulated from awards and shortlists in universal festivals and competitions. The scope of eligible events is defined annually by a Commission comprised of the Top 10 winners from the previous year's National Creativity Ranking.
• HSE CREATIVE OPEN: An international open online competition in design, fashion, and contemporary art, conducted by the HSE Art and Design School since 2022. It is aimed at students and aspiring professionals from various universities, regardless of geography.

Projects for the tenth season of HSE CREATIVE OPEN can be submitted until April 15, 2026, via the HSE Art and Design School competition portal.