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We The Curious to reopen in November with ‘groundbreaking’ new exhibition
There’s a buzz of anticipation inside We The Curious as a project that has been three years in the making starts to take shape.
The science and arts centre on Millennium Square is set to reopen in November, when a “groundbreaking” new exhibition inspired and shaped by questions from people across Bristol will be unveiled.
“The aim of the exhibition is to present science as creative, inspiring and collaborative,” says We The Curious CEO Donna Speed, sipping a coffee in the foyer of the building, where the sound of ongoing works in the exhibition space beyond can be heard.
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“With Project What If, we want to challenge preconceived ideas, give a platform to all voices and help remove barriers to participation.
“Our new exhibition will open up science to all and empower people to participate in real scientific research. Our aim is to place people at the heart of science and present the real world of science – a world that is creative, collaborative, uncertain and inspiring.”
Donna admits the Covid-19 pandemic has presented a number of new challenges for the centre, which is falling through the cracks in terms of government support because it does not fit into the category of museum, frontline charity or art gallery.
She credits the We The Curious team for working to ensure the new exhibition will open on schedule regardless, adding: “We’ve employed over 100 collaborators, and have been working with researchers and young people across the city to make this happen.
“We will need the support of our local Bristol community and beyond when we reopen, and we can’t wait to share this with you.”
The entire ground floor of We The Curious is to be reimagined – photo credit Simon Ridge
An idea first formed three years ago, Project What If, has been inspired by 10,000 questions collected from every postcode in the city and will be the first major science centre exhibition in the UK shaped entirely by the curiosity of residents.
The space is to be entirely reimagined for the opening in November, which will mark the next step in the centre’s evolution as it celebrates its 20 years in the city.
We The Curious projects producer Amelia Howarth explains: “Each exhibition area uses high-tech, beautiful design to explore these very different questions in a multitude of ways, covering a huge variety of different disciplines and voices. We’ve worked with so many amazing people, from members and volunteers to partners and schools, as well as the question askers themselves.
“We want Bristolians of all ages and backgrounds to be proud of the gorgeous exhibition they helped create and for our exhibition to mirror the diversity and beauty of Bristol. We want everyone to feel a part of science and curiosity, at a time where it’s never been more important.”
The exhibition will focus on seven key questions covering themes such as illness, rainbows, happiness, the universe, invisibility and time. The new installation has been inspired by the thoughts and questions of people across the city, including young people from Room 13 Hareclive, students at City Academy and many more.
The high-tech designs are currently being created and the process of installing them in the reimagined We The Curious building is due to start at the end of August ready for the grand unveiling in November.
Project What If was supported by a £3m grant awarded by the Inspiring Science Fund, with additional funds of more than £900,000 donated.
Donna and Amelia are excited to be able to unveil details of the project, which has been three years in the making
Main image is an artist’s impression of the exhibition by Kossman Dejong
Read more: We The Curious asks chancellor to allow furloughed charity staff to work
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