ASCUS Art & Science is a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing together art, science and beyond in the name of play, curiosity and experimentation.
We catalyse collaborations across disciplines through project management, facilitate public engagement events and provide a publicly accessible science lab and genetic modification facility for curious minds to delve into the techniques of microbiology, microscopy and DNA analysis.
ASCUS has facilitated projects at the intersection of art and science by both UK and international artists including Oron Catts, Marta de Menezes, Susan Aldworth, Hannah Imlach and Aurelie Fontan.
What’s on
Our Story
Since we were founded in 2008, ASCUS has been dedicated to building a community of artists, designers, scientists, anthropologists and others who are driven to explore how working across disciplinary lines can develop new collaborations, excite experimentation, reach wider audiences and provoke curiosity. ASCUS is neither an arts nor a scientific body, but an organisation dedicated to developing art-science intersections.
OUR LAB FACILITY
One of the barriers for non-scientists is access to research tools and equipment. We wanted to challenge the notion that ‘A lab is somewhere you can’t go unless you’re a scientist’ through our belief that a laboratory should be accessible to everyone. This belief led us to open our own at Summerhall in Edinburgh in 2016 and it sits at the intersection of art and science. Our one-of-a-kind publicly accessible shared lab space has been able to provide and facilitate hands on exposure to, and exploration of scientific concepts and techniques, making science accessible, tangible and engaging.
What we offer
For Creatives
We actively encourage creative projects that push the boundaries of how we think about art, science, the world around us and challenge the role and implications of science and technology in society. If you have an interest in developing science based techniques to enhance your creative practice, but have encountered red tape with accessing scientific expertise and lab space, that is is exactly why ASCUS Lab was started. Our lab is accessible to everyone and our lab technician offers training and project support.
For Scientists and Researchers
Scientific research can often get lost in translation to public audiences who don’t understand the nitty-gritty of the research you do. We would love to work with you to develop and deliver new workshops and hands-on activities that share your current research with members of the public in a fun, informative and creative way that provides a window onto ‘real’ science happening today.
For Everyone
Whether you’re a science hobbyist with a project in mind, a curious mind wanting to learn new skills, or just want to nerd out, explore and have fun, our lab is for you. Anyone can access our lab equipment, even if you have no lab experience as we provide a range of different training catering to everyone. We run fun workshops from time to time so keep an eye out on our website and social media pages for these!
SUPPORT ASCUS
Like most culture and arts organisations, ASCUS Art & Science was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a small non-profit organisation, we are still feeling the effects of the pandemic. We rely on external funding to keep our lab access prices low and our workshops affordable. If you would like to support and help ASCUS’s programme and the ASCUS Lab facility dedicated to building connections between the fields of art, design and sciences, please consider becoming a part of our community of supporters, by donating through the link below.
From the Blog
