Science Gallery Lab Detroit will launch exhibits in summer 2018 with help from a $1 million grant from MSU Federal Credit Union.
The funds will be distributed in $200,000 increments over the course of five years and will support exhibition development, production, community engagement efforts and staffing needs.
“We believe SGLD is of strategic importance to our land-grant mission and will have transformative impacts on Detroit,” said Jeff Grabill, associate provost for teaching, learning and technology. “We’re thrilled that MSUFCU has provided this lead investment in developing a substantial gallery and community engagement presence in Detroit.”
The goal of MSU’s lab is to reach youth ages 15-25 who are making important decisions about college and career choices and show them the interconnections between science, the arts, culture, design, business and innovation.
The theme for SGLD’s summer 2018 exhibit will be announced to the public this November with an open call for proposals.
“We are working with local artists, scientists and community members from both Detroit and East Lansing to develop a theme for the 2018 exhibition,” said Troy Livingston, director of SGLD. “Input from this diverse group will help ensure our theme is relevant and poignant locally, nationally and internationally.”
Once the theme is selected, SGLD will issue an open call to artists, scientists and craftsmen internationally to propose exhibits and programs which explore the 2018 theme. Proposals will be reviewed and selected by SGLD curators based upon Science Gallery’s core values to connect, participate and surprise.
The curators will look for proposals that demonstrate a meaningful connection to the theme, or that bring a thought-provoking or unexpected perspective to it. Proposals should include audience participation, involve collaborations across different disciplines, and bring art and science together in a creative way.
Past Science Gallery themes have included Humans Need Not Apply, In Case of Emergency, Fail Better, and Illusion.
All SGLD programs, exhibitions and events will be free and open to the public. The majority of programs, exhibitions and events will take place in both Detroit and East Lansing. All Science Galleries are developed in partnership with leading research universities.
The original Science Gallery was opened at Trinity College in Dublin in 2008.
