Science Gallery Lab Detroit will launch exhibits in summer 2018 with help from a $1 million grant from MSU Federal Credit Union

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 at Science Gallery Lab Detroit.

“We believe Science Gallery Lab Detroit 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 at Michigan State University (MSU). “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 Science Gallery Lab Detroit 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 Science Gallery Lab Detroit’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, Science Gallery Lab Detroit 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 Science Gallery Lab Detroit 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.

All Science Gallery Lab Detroit 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 Gallery locations are developed in partnership with leading research universities. The pioneering Science Gallery is based at Trinity College Dublin, with galleries currently in development at King’s College London, University of Melbourne, the Indian Institute of Science, and Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and  the expansion of SG Labs into Latin America and Africa is planned by 2020.