Focus on TIME: September 2025 – August 2026

Location: The MIT Museum

In support of the MIT Museum’s mission to welcome all to participate in MIT’s unique culture of problem-solving and playful creativity, we seek proposals for innovative public programs that explore humanity’s relationship with the theme of TIME.

ABOUT THE THEME

What is time? How do we measure, understand, and perceive it? From circadian rhythms to wormholes, from atomic clocks to time travel, our year-long focus on TIME at the MIT Museum will invite audiences to experience programs, educational workshops, and installations, exploring our complex relationship with time.

We are especially eager to review program proposals that demonstrate a meaningful connection to the theme of TIME and that bring a thought-provoking or unexpected perspective to it – we are interested in projects that connect art, science, technology, and design. We value programs that invite audience participation and engagement in new and inventive ways.

Topics may include, but are not limited to: Space Time, Time Measurement, Time perception, Deep time, Futures, Memory, Quantum time, Cyclical time, Musical time/tempo, Time travel, and Circadian rhythms.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Who is our audience?  The programs should be accessible and thought-provoking for a wide variety of visitors. Please note that the Museum’s target audience is curious teens (middle school and above) and adults.

Who can apply? We encourage public programming proposals from artists, scientists, engineers, designers, and other creative practitioners. Students, staff, and faculty at MIT, as well as leaders and creators from the broader community, can all apply.

What type of projects are accepted? 

We welcome innovative programmatic proposals from across disciplines and formats. This could include hands-on workshops, films, lecture series, master classes, talks, music, VR/XR,  LARP, demonstrations, performances, installations, and maker programs. Programming that brings together art and science in innovative ways is especially encouraged.

What budget is available? Materials and other expenses for projects supported by the open call can typically be funded up to $1,000. We welcome proposals that work to a smaller budget or have a larger budget and other sources of funding.

What public programming spaces are available at the MIT Museum?

The public programming spaces at the Museum include:

The Exchange
An amphitheatre space with a two-story digital screen and built-in stadium seating.
Capacity: 100

The Phillip Sharp Room
A large conference room with a flexible floor plan that includes state of the art audio video equipment.
Capacity: 80

Learning Labs
Two classroom spaces with flexible floorplans.
Capacity of each classroom: 30

Proposals for digital/online projects are also welcome.

There are additional open areas and exhibitions in the Museum, and roving carts, that could potentially be utilized as sites for programs, with additional discussion.

How to Apply: Summary
Please submit your application below. Applications must include:

• Event name
• A description of the public program
• Intended audience
• Practical considerations
• Budget
• Marketing and promotion

If applicable, include supporting documentation.

Criteria:

The applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Creativity: Is the program original, innovative, and thought-provoking? Does it invite audience participation and engagement in new and inventive ways?
2. Relevance to the MIT Museum mission and the theme of TIME: Does the public program align with and contribute to the concept and goals outlined and support the MIT Museum’s mission?
3. Relevance to target audience and potential for impact: Does it speak to our target audience of curious young adults (middle school and above) and adults? Will it be impactful on audiences and achieve wider resonance and attention?
4. Diversity of Topics: Does the program help the Museum reach its goal to offer diverse content and formats?
5. Cultural, Social, and Ethical Sensitivity: Is the content respectful, inclusive, and mindful of diverse perspectives and ethical considerations?
6. Feasibility: Is the public program technically and logistically viable within the museum’s space, resources, and timeline?

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

Have questions about the open call or the Museum’s focus on TIME? If you require more information, please contact Kate Silverman Wilson, Manager of Public Programs, at [email protected]

To submit your application, click here