ABOUT

Our Mission

Atlas Workshops inspires creative engagement with the world.

We foster curious exploration and global connections to build an imaginative, adaptable future.

Our Story

We believe creative ideas can change the world, and the world, in turn, is our greatest source of inspiration.

We are building a global workshop: a community and a network of curious people, organizations, projects, educators, students, and travelers working together to imagine something new. We run local and international programs that explore with intention, seek insights in the ordinary, and nurture the curiosity within us all.

Together, we can co-create the future of our dreams.

How We Do It

Fostering a Workshop Frame of Mind

We see the world as a work in progress, and we believe everyone has a part to play. To build a better world, though, we need the right tools. By taking a curious and creative approach to global exploration, we encourage people to keep asking questions, play with ideas, consider complex systems, tinker critically, and always assume there is more to discover.

Building a Global Network

We like to work with and support our fellow creators. We partner with incredible organizations around the world and share time and ideas with thoughtful people. Our collaborative approach is always looking for ways to connect travel teams with the different types of people and places that inspire us, and our growing network of hubs enables long term engagement and a global community.

Working with Educators

When we work with educators and students we see the potential for our approach and network to support broad learning outcomes. We help educators of all kinds bring their ideas to life and use our expertise to push the boundaries of educational travel programs, short-term courses, study abroad, and experiential learning.

Learn more about what it’s like to partner with us as as a K-12 school or university >

Managing Field Experiences

We may be different from a traditional travel company, but organizing intentional exploration and inquiry always requires comprehensive risk management and logistics. From our global hubs to a diverse network in over a hundred countries, with vetted providers and global know-how, we run sophisticated programs in familiar and surprising destinations around the world.

Sharing Insights

We frame each program around a set of questions or objectives. Each inquiry can lead to a range of creative results, from playful projects to deep insights, systemic brainstorms to targeted interventions. Our programs encourage new ideas, fresh thinking, and sometimes ongoing or long term initiatives. Sharing these projects is how we build momentum for a more creative world.

OUR TEAM

  • Andrea Bachmann

    Director of Education

  • Morgan Baum

    Program Manager

  • Sean MacNab

    Director of Design and Community

  • Ilias Pantazis

    Athens Project Head

  • Adam White

    Founder

Advisors & Leaders

  • Virginia Christakos

    Program Lead

  • John Hrabe

    Co-Founder and Journalist

  • Jake Fehres

    Australia Lead

  • Kerry Schorr

    Communications Expert

  • Kenny Odiase-Capps

    Program Lead

  • Alex Moore

    Program Lead

  • Estephania Solis

    Advisor

How we got started

Atlas evolved out of a design studio developing projects around the globe. In 2010, we were working at the forefront of technology, innovation, and social impact - for example, exploring how cell phones might help responders in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, or investigating how Kenya’s public transport system could be safer. Our field research sparked new ideas and helped us to unravel complicated issues in our world.

A couple years later, when a school asked if they could tag along on a design trip, we couldn’t refuse the opportunity. As students, international experiences had prepared us to be successful innovators and collaborators around the globe. Place-based learning connected our classroom experiences to the real world and helped us to develop our own curiosity and creativity, the skills at the core of our work.

After returning from India with a small group of students, it was clear that our design-centered approach wasn’t just a tool to help us solve professional challenges, but had the potential to change the perspective of anyone who joined us and inspire new ideas and projects. This laid the foundation for a new take on global education, cross-cultural engagement, and innovative learning.

Atlas Workshops was launched in 2013 as a global workshop for crafting ideas and training innovative problem solvers. Since we began, we have led groups to over 30 countries on six continents. We have worked with local partners to explore complex issues, address shared challenges, and question what we thought we knew about the world. Our growing network of students and colleagues continues to share their insights and create new projects together.

On our ever-changing planet, this community of creative, curious thinkers is key to building a more imaginative and adaptable future.