BOSTON (WHDH) – The Museum of Science in Boston says its new 10,000-square-foot civic venue is nearing completion. The William and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Science Common will open to the public on Oct. 10, followed by a celebratory event on Oct. 28.
Designed to inspire lifelong engagement with science by sparking discourse and discovery through immersive experiences around urgent topics including artificial intelligence, climate change, public health, and space exploration, the Bloomberg Public Science Common will connect trusted scientific voices with local and global audiences. It will host conversations with leading scientists and communicators, conferences, and symposia.
Floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the Charles River with 270-degree views of the Boston Skyline complements state-of-the-art immersive media, production, and livestreaming technology that enables every event to reach audiences well beyond Boston. The venue will also be available for corporate gatherings and private events.
“We believe the future of science is participatory,” said Tim Ritchie, Gwill York President, Museum of Science. “Science should belong to everyone. The William and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Science Common will be the world’s stage for science: a place where scientists, creators, artists, and the public will create experiences that inspire everyone with hope for a better future. Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love of science in everyone.”
The Public Science Common is named for William and Charlotte Bloomberg, from Medford, MA, who instilled a love of learning and discovery in their children, Michael R. Bloomberg and Marjorie Tiven.
“As a kid growing up outside of Boston, visiting the Museum of Science sparked a lifelong love of learning and problem-solving,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term mayor of New York City. “The Public Science Common will help ensure more young people get that experience, and it marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Museum. Technology is bringing so many promising frontiers within reach, with so much potential to improve lives and deepen our understanding of the universe. The Public Science Common captures the spirit of openness and dialogue that has always fueled progress – and it means a lot to have it named for the most important teachers my sister Marjorie and I had: our parents, William and Charlotte.”
A $155 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Public Science Common is the largest in the Museum’s history. Previous Bloomberg Philanthropies funding to the Museum established the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center in 2016, supported the 2011 renovation of the Museum’s Charles Hayden Planetarium, strengthened education programs, and developed a computer science curriculum, internships, and exhibition spaces. The Museum of Science is also one of 34 Massachusetts-based cultural organizations on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
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