Science Gallery Detroit

About Resource

The Science Gallery network consists of a global community of universities and galleries collaborating at the intersection of science and art. Science Galley Detroit is a public collaboration space supported by Michigan State University and is part of the international community of galleries. Science Gallery Detroit brings together young people to co-develop, research, and design strategies aimed at addressing issues ranging from grief to data privacy. Using the original Science Gallery Dublin as a model, the Detroit-based gallery aims for more complete understanding by connecting art, science, and technology in the design and research processes. It also incorporates multidisciplinary approaches. The products that emerge from the youth-led co-creation projects are then shared with wider communities as interactive exhibits. Part of what leads to success is the focus on developing relationships with local community leaders and involving them in the project development process.

The Science Gallery network strives to work together with local communities to discover the creative potential of young people. They provide opportunities for young people to develop skills for jobs in technology and scientific fields, create fertile ground for entrepreneurship and innovation, and discover new connections and inspiration for young people around the globe. An example project that the Science Gallery Detroit has collaboratively developed with local community leaders is DEPTH, an exhibition which focused on water as a resource and as a human right. In addition to the exhibition, DEPTH featured performances by local artists around the theme of water use. It was important to ground the work of the DEPTH exhibition in local water activism and to acknowledge and represent local activist work in their exhibition.