New funding for Science Gallery London at King’s

An innovative new gallery in the heart of London is on course to becoming reality following a major donation towards capital funding.

A total of £5 million of funding has been donated to King’s College London to support Science Gallery London by Shard Funding Limited.

The free-to-visit gallery will be situated opposite the Shard on King’s College London’s Guy’s Campus. It will aim to attract over 300,000 visitors a year, with a focus on engaging 15-25 year olds with science, art and design. The project is also supported by donations from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and the Wellcome Trust.

Science Gallery London will occupy a key site on the corner of Great Maze Pond and St Thomas Street in the newly developed London Bridge area. Alongside a newly restored Georgian courtyard, it will include exhibition galleries, a theatre, café and informal meeting spaces.

The 2,000 square metre building will provide an interface between the city, local businesses, Guy’s Hospital and King’s College London’s students and staff, igniting creativity where science and art collide.

Science Gallery London will host dynamic exhibitions, events, performances and festivals and aims to bring researchers, academics, designers, artists, entrepreneurs and local communities together in a new creative hub.

‘A major milestone & exciting space’

Professor Ed Byrne AC, President and Principal, King’s College London, said: ‘This is a major milestone for Science Gallery London and we are delighted that Shard Funding Limited has stepped forward and made such an important donation. I wish to extend my thanks to Shard Funding Limited for their commitment to helping us build a new and exciting space that will help younger people connect with big ideas and engage with the wealth of knowledge and expertise that King’s has to offer.’

Deborah Bull, Director, Culture at King’s College London, said: ‘This donation is a significant step towards enabling this exciting new initiative to proceed. With its location at the heart of this diverse and vibrant part of London, it will bring together scientists and artists to explore new ideas, inspiring a new generation through the collision of different disciplines.’

Dr Daniel Glaser, Director, Science Gallery London said: ‘As our pre-opening programme develops, we are delighted to have secured this capital funding. Our engagement with King’s researchers, students, hospital staff and patients and local communities is growing all the time and we look forward to the opening of the gallery with real anticipation.’

Inspiring innovators

Dr Michael John Gorman, CEO of Science Gallery International said: ‘With this donation to Science Gallery at King’s College London, the project is on a firm course to realise its mission of igniting creativity and discovery where art and science collide. We are delighted to welcome Science Gallery London as the second member of the Global Science Gallery Network and believe it will play a key role in inspiring the innovators of the future.’

Science Gallery at King’s College London is the second member of the emerging Global Science Gallery Network – a network of eight galleries that will be developed in partnership with leading universities in urban centres