Concept image of Science Gallery Melbourne. Image via Science Gallery International
As part of its international expansion, a branch of the Science Gallery is to be opened in the University of Melbourne, joining other locations under the Global Science Gallery Network.
Earlier this month, the Science Gallery announced that it had raised €1.1m to expand internationally for the first time outside of its base in Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
And now, the confirmation of Melbourne as the location of its Australian branch marks the halfway point of the organisation’s plan to expand the Global Science Gallery Network to eight universities worldwide by 2020.
The gallery is set to open in 2018, where it will join its sister galleries in Dublin, London and Bangalore offering the latest accomplishments and developments in the field of science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM).
We’ve just announced Science Gallery Melbourne – to be led by @RoseHiscock, opening 2018 at @unimelb. More info: https://t.co/duJPTFvtkm
— Science Gallery Intl (@ScienceGallery) November 10, 2015
Speaking of its decision to set up a Melbourne branch, Science Gallery International said: “For Science Gallery International, Melbourne is the obvious choice for a Science Gallery in Australia. In addition to being home to a world-class partner in the University of Melbourne, it is also home to vibrant scientific and artistic communities – a city designed for creative collisions between science and art.”
Also announced by Science Gallery International was the news that the first director of Science Gallery Melbourne will be cultural leader Rose Hiscock who will take up her position in February 2016 after completing her current role as director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.
“When you think about [art and science] you think about someone like Stelarc, a formidable artist for whom the body is the canvas,” Hiscock said to the Sydney Morning Herald. “Stelarc has taught us a lot about being human. Creativity is a fundamental part of science… Convergence and disruption are the buzzwords. I think this is an example of working in a new, disruptive and nimble way to blend the very best of different disciplines.”
