Michigan State University’s Science Gallery Detroit received a $200,000 grant from Science Sandbox, an initiative of the Simons Foundation. The contribution will help fund programming for Science Gallery Detroit's DEPTH Exhibition, opening June 8 at the Michigan Science Center.
Part art gallery, part science lab, part theater, Science Gallery Detroit’s DEPTH exhibit will explore the world’s connection to water. Featuring more than two dozen installations, DEPTH will include works from artists and scientists worldwide, in addition to works from MSU researchers.
The grant from Science Sandbox will help produce the DEPTH exhibition and deliver community programming throughout the summer. In keeping with the Science Gallery model, both the exhibition and programming will be free and open to the public from June 8 to Aug. 17.
“Science Sandbox has an excellent, well-earned reputation for supporting emerging and cutting edge approaches to public engagement with science,” said Jeff Grabill, director of Science Gallery Detroit and MSU associate provost for teaching, learning and technology. “We are thrilled to be counted among the projects they support and eager to learn from this relationship. The partnership with Science Sandbox will ensure high-quality experiences for visitors, particularly those ages 15-25, for whom Science Gallery is focused on engaging.”
DEPTH will explore water’s intense power – one that creates catastrophic storms and floods – while also showcasing the beauty and life it brings. Water composes most of the human body and much of the natural world, but there are shortages, droughts and pollution. DEPTH will invite visitors to imagine the future of humanity in relation to water and asks: what will that future be?
"Art has the unique power to transform science in ways that make it more relevant, meaningful and inclusive to a broad range of people," said Greg Boustead, director of Science Sandbox. “We’re thrilled to partner with Science Gallery Detroit to help bring this interactive exhibition to the Detroit community."
Last year, more than 10,000 visitors attended Science Gallery Detroit’s inaugural exhibit HUSTLE.
To make a contribution to Science Gallery Detroit, contact: Jeff Grabill, grabill@msu.edu.
Science Gallery Detroit
Science Gallery Detroit, launched summer 2018, is a collaborative initiative presented by Michigan State University and Science Gallery International with a $1 million grant from its founding partner, MSU Federal Credit Union. Currently, the Science Gallery Network consists of seven locations worldwide: Dublin, London, Venice, Bengaluru, Melbourne, Rotterdam; and Detroit, which is the first city in North America to have its own Science Gallery. Science Gallery is an award-winning international initiative pioneered by Trinity College Dublin that delivers a dynamic new model for engaging 15–25-year olds with science and art.
Science Gallery Network
Science Gallery is the world’s only university network dedicated to public engagement with science and art. The Science Gallery Network consists of leading universities united around a singular mission: to ignite creativity and discovery where science and art collide. Science Gallery International is the non-profit, charitable organization catalyzing the growth of the network, providing services, tools and resources required to power and expand this unique global collaboration, which now has seven members across four continents: the pioneering member Trinity College Dublin (Ireland); King's College London (The United Kingdom); The University of Melbourne (Australia); the Indian Institute of Science, Srishti School of Art Design and Technology, The National Centre for Biological Sciences (India); Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italy); Michigan State University (United States); and Erasmus University Medical Center (The Netherlands). For more information about the Network, visit: sciencegallery.org.
Science Sandbox
Science Sandbox is dedicated to inspiring a deeper interest in science, especially among those who don’t think of themselves as science enthusiasts. We support and collaborate with programs that unlock scientific thinking in everyone. Our partnerships invite a wide audience to engage in the scientific process — a process defined by curiosity, contingent upon asking questions, and informed by reliable evidence — to find solutions to everyday problems. Funded projects include film and other media productions, informal education experiences, live science events and awareness campaigns. Science Sandbox is an initiative of the Simons Foundation.
Michigan Science Center
The Michigan Science Center inspires nearly 300,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across the state of Michigan. As the STEM hub of the state, we focus on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits, and initiatives that enable us to empower and enrich all children and all communities with STEM. Through our Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, we are expanding beyond our Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan. With Toyota’s 4D Engineering Theater, live stage shows, a Planetarium, lab activities, 250+ hands-on exhibits, and more, there are dozens of ways to customize your MiSci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive support from the city of Detroit or the state of Michigan. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, Mi-Sci.org.
