Organizer Information
Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a not-for-profit public institution based in Bengaluru, India, dedicated to research-based engagement with young adults at the intersection of science, engineering, art, and design. Established with founding support from the Government of Karnataka and patrons Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Rohini Nilekani, and Sudha and Kris Gopalakrishnan, SGB operates through a unique model of interdisciplinary exhibitions and dynamic public programmes.
SGB collaborates with leading academic institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS). Its core mission is to Connect, Participate, and Surprise, fostering curiosity-driven inquiry among audiences aged 15–30. Science Gallery Bengaluru is part of the international Science Gallery Network, known globally for its experimental, cross-disciplinary exhibition seasons.
Title & Description
Open Call: INTELLIGENCE | Science Gallery Bengaluru
Science Gallery Bengaluru invites artists, researchers, designers, technologists, and interdisciplinary practitioners to submit proposals for its upcoming exhibition season titled INTELLIGENCE.
This hybrid exhibition season explores intelligence beyond traditional metrics such as IQ and standardised testing. The call interrogates how intelligence has historically been measured, categorised, and politicised—from colonial testing regimes and military stratification to contemporary artificial intelligence systems.
The exhibition asks:
- Is intelligence found in instinct, imagination, error, and play?
- Does intelligence exist in ecosystems, animals, or collective systems?
- Can intelligence be an emergent property arising from interconnection?
- What are the ethical, material, and political implications of simulating intelligence through AI?
Science Gallery Bengaluru seeks projects that critically explore biological, artificial, creative, collective, poetic, and speculative forms of intelligence. Proposals may be artistic, scientific, research-based, or hybrid in nature.
Selected participants will contribute to a hybrid exhibition season that includes both physical installations at the gallery in Bengaluru and online or digital components.
Categories
The open call is transdisciplinary and welcomes proposals in:
- Visual Art
- Installation
- Video
- Performance
- Sound Art / Music
- Poetry
- Design
- Craft
- Web-based / Digital Art
- Socially Engaged Practice
- Live Experimentation
- Film Festival Programming
- Workshops
- Talks / Lecture Series
- Theatre
- Dance
- Site-Specific Projects
- Interdisciplinary Art & Science Research
Science Gallery Bengaluru is not format-prescriptive and encourages innovative approaches.
Eligibility
- Open to International applicants
- Individuals and collectives
- Artists, scientists, researchers, technologists, designers, and interdisciplinary practitioners
- Emerging and established professionals
- Projects must align with Science Gallery’s core audience (ages 15–30)
- Applicants from diverse disciplinary and career backgrounds are encouraged
There is no stated age limit for applicants, but relevance to young adult audiences is essential.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected projects will receive financial and production support:
- Exhibition projects: Up to INR 3,00,000 (approx., including artist fees, materials, equipment, shipping, travel, taxes)
- Public programme proposals: Up to INR 1,00,000
- Opportunity to exhibit at Science Gallery Bengaluru
- Hybrid presentation (physical + digital exposure)
- Institutional support and feasibility development discussions
- Potential facilitation of site-specific permissions (lakes, parks, laboratories, metro stations, etc.)
- Visibility within the international Science Gallery Network
Larger-scale projects may be considered if additional funding or partnerships are secured.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a proposal through the official open call system. Requirements typically include:
- Project proposal (new or existing work)
- Concept note aligning with the INTELLIGENCE theme
- Budget outline
- Technical requirements
- CV/team biography
- Documentation of previous work (if applicable)
- Clear rationale addressing Science Gallery’s mission and exhibition goals
Applicants may submit more than one proposal.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 March 2026
- Notification of Results: By July 2026
- Review Period: April – June 2026
- Feasibility Discussions (if selected): December 2026
Location
Science Gallery Bengaluru, India
Additional Details
- Both new and existing works are eligible.
- Hybrid exhibition-season means proposals may be fully physical, fully digital, or combined.
- Public programmes may include workshops, talks, theatre, dance, puppetry, stand-up, masterclasses, city walks, or film festivals.
- Proposals extending beyond the gallery space are welcome.
- Strong proposals critically examine how knowledge about intelligence is produced.
- Applicants are encouraged to review previous exhibitions to understand Science Gallery Bengaluru’s ethos before applying.