Closed and open only when you want it to be.
I cannot tell you how much I haul my art supplies around. Small items have always been a problem for me. The enclosure may pop open in my bag or fall to the floor and bust open. Never has these problems happened with this container. Using beads to brads, small items have been a constant worry for me. The best part is the container is small and you can see the color and organize each individual strip of the little boxes. The best part. is in order to open a section you have to push a button at the end of the row at the same time to open the box. If an accident does occur while working with the container you only spill that one section and not the whole row. I highly recommend this container for the crafty girl on the go or someone in a busy household.