World Science Festival returns to Brisbane

Brisbane will transform into a city of science with interactive art and science installations from 9-13 March for the World Science Festival Brisbane.

With its dynamic mix of scientific surprises and fun discoveries, World Science Festival Brisbane’s 2022 theme is “Science, People, Heart”, investigating how science, creativity and art are shaping a brighter world and humanity’s willingness to embrace it.

Visitors will be inspired by “real science, for real people” and have the chance to ask questions on health, the space race, palaeontology, marine archaeology, ethics and much more.

Crowd favourites The Hatchery: Turtle Conservation Experience at Queensland Museum and City of Science, free family science fun, and a digital program will enable audiences from around the world to join with leading experts discuss a range of topics.

For the first time, the World Science Festival Brisbane also encompasses Curiocity Brisbane from 9- 20 March when it transforms Brisbane into a world of discovery for 12 days of immersive science, art and technology.

Curious visitors of all ages can explore, create and play with the physical and digital Curiocities, including never-before-seen installations created by artists and makers from across the state and around the globe.

The Curiocities will be spread across South Bank, South Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct along a 5km walking trail taking visitors on a unique journey of creativity.

Queensland Museum Network CEO Jim Thompson said this year’s festival would combine science and creativity.

“This year, with the addition of Curiocity Brisbane, audiences will have the chance to revel in science that thrills and challenges, explore interactive art installations, take part in dynamic talks and engage in loads of family fun,” Dr Thompson said.

“Arts and science are similar in that they are expressions of what it is to be human in this world. Both are driven by curiosity, discovery and the aspiration for knowledge of the world or oneself.

“Now, more than ever, it’s important that visitors have the opportunity to explore subjects and stories that also influence people’s understanding and opinion on a range of topics, from science and history facts to social debates and discussions.”

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the collaboration between arts and science “weaves a story that has been told for thousands of generations”.

“The 2022 World Science Festival Brisbane will feature thought-provoking fun and scientific surprises to inspire the hearts and minds of Queenslanders of all ages,” Ms Enoch said.

“Following the March event in Brisbane, Queensland communities in Townsville, Gladstone,

Chinchilla, Ipswich and Toowoomba will experience the wonder of the World Science Festival.

“Since it started in 2016 the World Science Festival Queensland has attracted more than 800,000 visitors across the state and injected more than $36 million into the state’s economy.”

Keep up to date with programs and events for World Science Festival Brisbane and Curiocity Brisbane via the website.