Organizer Information
The MIT Museum, located in the heart of the MIT campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is dedicated to making the institute’s research accessible to all. Its mission is to welcome everyone to participate in MIT’s culture of playful creativity and problem-solving. Through interactive galleries, workshops, and public events, the museum explores the intersection of science, technology, art, and design to address the challenges of the future.
Title & Description
OCEANS Open Call: Public Programs 2026
Launching in September 2026, the MIT Museum will begin a major thematic focus on OCEANS, investigating Earth’s last unexplored frontier. This open call seeks proposals for innovative public programs—such as workshops, demonstrations, performances, or interactive talks—that explore humanity's relationship with the sea. The goal is to bring together art, science, technology, and design to investigate topics like marine biodiversity, climate change solutions, and the "blue economy." The museum is specifically looking for thought-provoking or unexpected perspectives that invite active audience participation.
Categories
- Interdisciplinary Arts & Science: Projects connecting Art, Science, Technology, and Design.
- Public Programming: Workshops, Interactive Demonstrations, Lectures, Maker Activities, and Performances.
- Themes: Ocean Exploration, Marine Biodiversity, Blue Economy, Policy-making, and Ocean Engineering.
Eligibility
- Global Community: Open to artists, scientists, engineers, designers, and creative practitioners worldwide.
- MIT Community: Explicitly open to MIT students, staff, and faculty.
- Requirement: Proposed programs must be suitable for a general museum audience and foster engagement in new and inventive ways.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Reimbursement: Selected projects may receive up to $1,000 USD in reimbursement for materials and related expenses.
- Platform: The opportunity to present a program at the MIT Museum in Cambridge, MA, during the thematic launch.
- Visibility: Inclusion in the MIT Museum’s marketing and promotional efforts for the OCEANS theme.
- Professional Support: Access to the museum’s staff and facilities to realize the public program.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Program Proposal: A clear description of the activity and how it connects to the OCEANS theme.
- Audience Engagement Plan: How the program will invite visitors to participate or interact.
- Biography/CV: A short summary of the applicant’s background and relevant experience.
- Budget Estimate: A breakdown of how the materials/expenses (up to $1,000) would be used.
- Supporting Materials: Images, video links, or sketches of previous similar programs or the proposed project.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 February 2026
- Program Period: Selected programs will take place between September 2026 and March 2027.
- Launch Date: The OCEANS theme officially launches at the museum in September 2026.
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Additional Details
The museum is particularly interested in "problem-solving" narratives—projects that don't just state a problem (like pollution) but explore technological or creative solutions. Topics such as the history of underwater technologies, deep-sea exploration, and marine policy are highly encouraged.