SGI STRATEGY 2030
Science Gallery: The Story So Far
Science Gallery began in 2008 as a place to ignite creativity and discovery, where science and art collide. Pioneered at Trinity College Dublin, it was conceived as a new kind of creative environment, bringing science, art, technology and design together such that the fusions, synergies and collisions between them could be explored and enjoyed.
With the Science Gallery concept at its core, Science Gallery International (SGI) was established in 2012 to build and support an international network of interconnected galleries. There are currently eight Science Galleries in the Network; in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
The Science Gallery model aims to create new pathways for young people to learn, find agency and explore their creative potential through an innovative approach to art and science. It does this through creating unique, transdisciplinary exhibitions, events and programmes to engage inquiring minds in connective, participative, and surprising ways.
There is, however, a broader dimension to the work of Science Gallery. It offers opportunities for all citizens to engage with and reflect on the pressing challenges of our times. It seeks to highlight the potential for people to change their world, in a multitude of positive ways. It aspires to be a place where difficult discussions can be held, and boldness is valued.
For host institutions, notably Universities, the Science Gallery model offers:
opportunities to develop and showcase research, bringing together researchers,
educators and artists across different disciplines and areas of practice
a platform for student engagement and learning, contributing to the student experience
pathways for engagement between host institutions and their communities.
Today, every Science Gallery is different. They are diverse in mission, character, scale and focus, reflecting their social context and the character of their partnerships. However, they are united by a commitment to some shared values and aspirations:
Promoting the value of creativity and collaboration through multidisciplinary art-
science practices which address the big questions of our time
Embracing courage, boldness, curiosity, discovery, innovation and experimentation
Locally focused, relevant and internationally connected
Cutting edge and future focused
Celebrating and supporting diversity and inclusion
Stimulating new ways of thinking and learning
Creating opportunities for young people to express themselves and help shape the
world in which they live.
The Role of Science Gallery International: Challenges and Opportunities
To date, Science Gallery International has played a valuable role in the establishment of each node of the Science Gallery Network, supporting new galleries as they have developed and sharing ideas and insights from across the Network.
All Network members have access to tools and resources designed to leverage their investment in the network. SGI helps to develop these resources and share the best of ideas and practices across its members, whilst undertaking research on the wider impact of their work.
Our challenge now is to determine how best to build on this foundation, in a world which has changed dramatically since Science Gallery’s inception.
A global pandemic, increasing geopolitical instability and the real impacts of climate change have brought fresh urgency to the big questions confronting us. Disparities in access to resources and education are deepening. Trust in corporations and Government has waned, and with it trust in science. The rapid rise of AI technologies risks further alienating us from what it means to be human, even while they offer as yet untapped opportunities for connection. And for young people, the future looks less certain than it did for previous generations.
At the same time, there is a greater appreciation of the potential in exploring the interstices between traditional disciplines, and in particular the creative opportunities art and science together offer to help us better appreciate and understand our world. There is also growing recognition and funding for inclusive participatory and engagement methods in research.
All of this reinforces the value proposition for Science Gallery. The challenges and big questions of our time can only be addressed through innovative thinking and through the alignment of expertise from across disciplines, and across borders.
Our vision for the Science Gallery Network is of a strong, vibrant, diverse and interconnected network which is actively contributing to this goal.
We face the future with optimism and with a clear sense of the challenges we all face, founded in our values and our vision. The big questions which this strategy focuses on go to how SGI can best contribute to this future through the development of a flourishing Network.
How do we ensure the sustainability of Science Galleries around the world and
amplify their work, and in so doing become greater than the sum of our parts?
How do we maintain and strengthen our partnerships, in particular with those leading
universities which have contributed so much to the evolution of Science Gallery?
And most importantly, how do we maintain and strengthen our relevance and value to
our key constituency: young people aged between 15 and 30?
Key Priorities for the Coming Decade
We aim to build a thriving, diverse and influential network through the following priorities:
3.1 Strengthening the network, building sustainability
SGI will leverage the benefits of an international network by convening discussions between the partners who currently support Science Galleries. Universities, other knowledge institutions, philanthropists and governments have all played critical roles in supporting the establishment and operations of Science Galleries. There is enormous variety in these partnerships, ranging from capital funding through to the paired delivery of education programs and initiatives and engaging urban populations in the future of their city. SGI will work with Network members to convene and connect funding partners with each other, to share experiences and explore ways in which their individual contributions can be enhanced and amplified through the international network.
Network sustainability requires a stable membership base and the ability to absorb financial shocks. The intention is to grow the Network, slowly but purposefully, to ensure this level of sustainability and achieve greater diversity. SGI will continue to build and support resilience and sustainability of the Network. In doing so it will, working closely with Directors, seed more externally-supported cross-Network and whole-of-Network initiatives.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS:
The primary focus of SGI will shift over time from network developer to becoming a connector, convener and facilitator, strengthening the platforms for collaboration and ensuring a broader discourse between members.
Develop Engagement and Communication plans to position SGI as a recognised leader and advocate in art science interdisciplinarity in research, education, and culture, demonstrating impact and promoting the SG story and brand.
Work closely with individual Directors, connecting them and fostering an environment for collaboration.
Support Directors in the development of a Network strategy that demonstrates and strengthens collaboration across the Network.
3.2 A flexible partnership model
Partnership with leading universities remains a cornerstone of the Science Gallery model, and delivering value to university partners and ensuring ongoing alignment of mission, are critical to future success. SGI can do more to leverage the strength of an international network for universities. University partners value the work of their Galleries, but they also want to be part of an international network which can support research collaboration with other universities and research partners and give their research international exposure. Similarly, university partners are interested in supporting international experiences for their students through Science Gallery – whether it be through academic exchange, leadership programs, dual- badged credentials or scholarships.
While SGI cannot deliver such initiatives alone, in future it will use its convening power to bring together senior representatives of university partners with Gallery leads to explore and develop such opportunities. It will also use its international communication platform to promote and celebrate their development and delivery where they occur.
As the Network evolves, SGI will, in consultation with members and partners, consider different partnership models appropriate to local context. We will do so in a way which protects and enhances the reputation and identity of the Network while opening the door for fresh collaboration and different partnership models.
The question of growth of the Network will be addressed carefully, and with regard to ensuring its sustainability and reputation. The Network should grow, slowly and purposefully, and not beyond 12 members in the near to medium term.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS:
SGI will convene regular discussions between university members of the Network, with a view to supporting alignment of mission and goals, and exploring opportunities for cross-network research, education and student engagement.
SGI will, in consultation with members and partners, consider and develop different partnership models appropriate to local context, to support resilience, sustainability and innovation.
An Associate Membership model will be scoped.
Linked to this work, SGI will develop a membership charter reflecting members’ understanding of and support for the Science Gallery vision and model.
In keeping with our commitment to diversity and creating opportunity, SGI will purposefully grow the network, and over time explore ways to ensure that regions not currently represented in the Network are included.
3.3 The Network’s key constituency: young people
Young people, primarily those aged 15-30, are at the heart of Science Gallery’s vision. Each exhibition and program is designed to inspire, educate and support young people, through a collaborative process which includes them. This spirit of collaboration and co-production creates a space for creative experimentation and innovation which is a hallmark of Science Gallery programmes, and supports a voice for young people in important conversations around key issues affecting them.
Our ambition for the coming decade is to strengthen this approach and increase the involvement of young people in Network activity and programs.
SGI, in partnership with Network Members, will facilitate conversations on key issues with global reach and significance, informed by and involving young people. This priority will inform the approach to growth of the Network, and opportunities to expand the work of SGI to communities not currently represented in the Network. The detail of this work will be developed through the Network Strategy.
Over the past 15 years, more than 1,000 young people have contributed directly to the work of Science Gallery through participating as Mediators. SGI will explore ways to develop our Mediator cohort as an international SG alumni network and seek opportunities for their further development and involvement in Science Gallery.
SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
SGI will, in conjunction with Network members, explore ways to increase and showcase the involvement of young people in Network programming.
In partnership with Network Members, SGI will facilitate conversations on key issues with global reach and significance, informed by and involving young people.
SGI will consider ways to ensure its strategy delivery is strongly informed by youth perspectives.
SGI will explore ways to develop the Science Gallery Mediator cohort as an international SG alumni network, and seek opportunities for their further development and involvement in Science Gallery.