We The Curious

We The Curious
Name	We The Curious
Established	2000
Location	Bristol, England
Type	Science centre

We The Curious is a science and arts centre in Bristol, England, combining interactive exhibits, public programmes, and community projects. The centre occupies a prominent site adjacent to the Floating Harbour and collaborates with museums, universities, broadcasters, theatres, and charities to present hands-on experiences. It hosts exhibitions, shows, and research partnerships that intersect with regional cultural institutions and national funders.

History

The centre opened in 2000 as a successor to earlier Bristol initiatives linked to Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol City Council, and regional regeneration projects influenced by the Millennium Commission and the National Lottery. Its development involved architects, funders, and stakeholders including Bristol City Council and heritage organisations associated with the Harbourside redevelopment. Over time it formed partnerships with universities such as the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England and engaged with broadcasters including BBC and cultural bodies like the Arts Council England. In later years the institution rebranded to emphasise participatory practice and opened collaborations with organisations such as the Royal Society, British Science Association, Wellcome Trust, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Building and Architecture

The building occupies a site on Bristol's Floating Harbour near landmarks including SS Great Britain and the Arnolfini. Its architectural evolution involved interventions linked to urban regeneration projects like the Bristol Harbourside Masterplan and conservation frameworks tied to local listings and the Bristol Civic Society. The structure interacts visually with nearby works by architects associated with projects like Cabot Circus and public realm schemes influenced by planners who worked on Bristol Temple Meads railway station improvements. Accessibility adaptations were informed by standards promoted by organisations such as Historic England and national guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Exhibits and Galleries

Exhibitions have ranged from physics demonstrations to biology displays, drawing on research from institutions such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the National Space Centre. Galleries have showcased hands-on installations inspired by design practices found at venues like the Tate Modern, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Imperial War Museums. The centre has hosted touring exhibits connected to the Royal Institution, the British Council, and regional galleries linked to the Museum of Somerset and the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Special projects have included collaborative displays with the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society of Biology.

Programs and Education

Educational programmes align with curricular priorities advocated by bodies such as the Department for Education and draw on partnerships with higher education providers like University of Bristol, University of the West of England, and specialist research units such as the Cabot Institute for the Environment. Outreach work has connected with schools across partnerships similar to those formed by the Prince's Trust, National Literacy Trust, and regional consortia influenced by the South West Academic Health Science Network. Training and CPD offer links to professional networks including the Association for Science and Discovery Centres and the British Educational Research Association. Public lectures and workshops have involved speakers from organisations like Wellcome Trust, Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, and creative collaborators from the Bristol Old Vic and Arnolfini.

Community Engagement and Impact

Community projects engage local groups, charities, and cultural partners such as St Pauls Carnival, Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre, and voluntary organisations similar to Age UK and Citizens Advice. Partnerships with health services and research charities, including those similar to NHS England initiatives and the Wellcome Trust community programmes, support outreach on health and wellbeing. Collaborative festivals and events have intersected with city-wide celebrations like Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and community arts festivals connected to the Bristol Festival of Ideas and the Harbourside Festival. Impact measurement has been informed by evaluation practice used by funders such as the Big Lottery Fund and regional development agencies historically like South West of England Regional Development Agency.

Governance and Funding

Governance structures include a charitable trust model comparable to other cultural organisations such as the Science Museum Group and the National Museums Liverpool. Funding sources combine earned income, philanthropic support from trusts like the Wellcome Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and public grants administered by bodies including Arts Council England and local authority funding from Bristol City Council. Strategic oversight involves boards and executive leaders whose roles mirror governance practices seen at institutions including the Tate, the British Library, and the Royal Society. Collaborative grant-funded research has been supported through programmes of the European Commission and national research councils such as the Economic and Social Research Council.

Category:Science museums in England Category:Museums in Bristol