Science Meets Art: Vienna-based association and network for trans-disciplinary projects

As global societal, economic and environmental challenges intensify, there is an urgent need for finding new ways of thinking and communicating both in science and in arts. The Science Meets Art (SMA) association fosters collaborations between scientific experts and artists, creating a dynamic network where new perspectives are introduced, resulting in interdisciplinary projects that reach broader audiences and evoke deeper emotional connections to topics such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The mission of Science Meets Art is to break down traditional boundaries between science and the public by fostering spaces where both artists and scientists can explore, collaborate, and present their work. These collaborations open up new ways of thinking about science, challenge stereotypes and biased knowledge, not only making it more relatable but also enabling artistic responses to scientific data that resonate with diverse audiences. By organizing public events and supporting joint projects, SMA actively promotes scientific outreach and facilitates a deeper understanding of the environmental issues we face. We acknowledge that artistic expression cannot be forced but must be nurtured through reflection and improvisation, providing artists with the freedom to explore new topics while contributing to public discussions on science.
In this session we will showcase some of the past SMA activities, including three exhibitions in scientific institutes, collaboration with performance art and artivism on climate and environmental issues. We will present our principles and manifesto and open the doors for inputs and new collaborations.