The dialogue between science and art is growing. Science museums and centres have discovered art as a medium to convey specialised knowledge and content to a broader public – a popular and still complex trend. By testing ideas and concepts with visitors, through summative evaluations or prototype testing, new insights into these collaborations have been generated.

We will be discussing the integration of art and cooperation with artists in scientific exhibitions as an innovative form of science communication. This will involve the exchange of methods and procedures as well as a substantive discussion on socially relevant issues. By presenting different approaches and collaborations we will show various new ways of curating, designing, and evaluating science exhibitions.

Is the integration of artwork in science centres and museums a way to reach new audiences and target groups? What kind of events can result from the interaction of art and science? What are the boundaries of merging the disciplines? Which topics are most suitable for this cooperation? And how do visitors react to these experiences, do their expectations match up with those of the exhibition teams and artists?