What if we had more spirited creative engaging unique interactive ways to explore issues that matter?

The Plenary, Co. is an art & science engagement nonprofit that designs vibrant community experiences to unlock the insights and energy we need to create more beautiful, sustainable, and equitable futures.

Let’s bring
ideas to life.


Society’s growing challenge isn’t a lack of knowledge – it’s a lack of pathways that make that knowledge usable, integrated, and aligned with the realities of our lives. We need spaces that inspire openness and connect communities, where nuance, imagination, and the best versions of ourselves and our ideas can thrive.

We can do better than comment sections and talking heads.

When it comes to making sense of new ideas, we’re naturally drawn to experiences where we get our senses stimulated, our hands dirty, and our voices heard. Only problem is: there aren’t many ways to do that... yet. The Plenary is crafting multiple pathways that make it easier and more rewarding to stay on top of the real world issues that impact our lives.We produce imaginative works, social gatherings, interactive media, games, and exploratory exhibitions designed to co-create more informed, equitable, and sustainable communities.


Live public lounges and interactive exhibitions that explore issues through art, science, and storytelling.


Seasonal deep dives using creative materials and gatherings that can be experienced live or in your own home.


Experimental works that support novel creative and scholarly inquiry.


Trainings, gatherings, and special events reserved for personalized learning experiences.


“OK But Why”

the plenary X islenia milien

EXPLORATION

COMMUNITY

LEARNING

OPENNESS

IMAGINATION

CREATION

PROBLEM-SOLVING

CURIOSITY

EXPLORATION

COMMUNITY

EXPLORATION • COMMUNITY • LEARNING • OPENNESS • IMAGINATION • CREATION • PROBLEM-SOLVING • CURIOSITY • EXPLORATION • COMMUNITY •

WHAT WE’RE UP TO

Issues we tackle:

We focus on issues that are insight-driven, meaning they aren’t just a matter of values or opinions. They are also perennial, meaning they keep coming back, even if they’ve faded from the headlines!

science reflects the biases of society.
it’s not a new thing for words to change their meaning. “bully” used to mean “Sweetheart”.
the people most hurt by environmental damage often had little to do with causing it.


it’s shockingly easy to think you remember things that never happened.
curiosity is cuter than confidence.

you are more likely to believe something because of who you know than what you know.

At the Plenary we craft energizing, inclusive, & creative pathways through issues that impact all of us.

WE COLLABORATE.

The term “plenary” refers to gatherings where everyone comes together. At The Plenary, we invite experts and collaborators from across arts, sciences, and communities to help shape our initiatives.


Featured Projects

THE CLUBHOUSE

Our NEW Virtual CLUBHOUSE is live!

A space to connect and explore issues through gatherings, games, stories, and creative works.

We launch a collection of materials and events to dive into a new issue each season at The Clubhouse. We just released all the content for Illuminations.

Each season, our Clubhouse digs into a new topic from one of our four issue areas.

Throughout the season, we release content for our members, host virtual and in-person events, and share ideas for exploring the topic of the moment.

“Open”

HUMAN SYSTEMS

A social challenge to investigate the forces that keep us open (or closed) to new possibilities.

“Super Human”

science and technology

A cinematic partnership exploring cutting edge frontiers of biotechnology and health.

“Unintended”

Sustainability

A multimedia experience exploring the unintended consequences of people on the planet.

“This or That”

NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE

A deep dive into how the categories we create can shape our worlds.

New every season:

Issue Edits

Original Artworks

Live (& At-Home) Gatherings

Periodical

At-home Challenges

Member Gifts

EVERY SEASON
IN THE CLUBHOUSE

Featured

SHOWCASE

SHOWCASE

SHOWCASE

SHOWCASE

INTRODUCING:

Illuminations

An Interactive

Art & Science Exhibition in

San Francisco, CA.

OCTOBER 7 - 28, 2023 • THE FOUNDRY SF

Illuminations is a multi-sensory showcase & social gathering.

Co-created by artists, scientists, storytellers, and educational designers, Illuminations is a dynamic way to explore connections between sustainability, technology, human bias & our everyday lives.

Six dynamic exhibits and lounges, each exploring a specific topic & theme.

Surrounded by food, drinks, and music, each exhibit creates a micro-world where participants can explore a particular issue through scientific storytelling, collaborative artworks, interactive lounges, and real world calls-to-action.


Want to LEARN MORE?


Ways to engage with US:
  • By becoming a member of the Clubhouse, you can join the growing community of supporters and patrons who make our work possible. Your monthly or annual donations help us stay independent, creative, and able to invest in developing the most promising pathways towards curious, open, and informed communities.

    BECOME A MEMBER →

  • Most of our initiatives are for adults, but we do have a few tricks up our sleeves for the next generation as well. Check out how we’re working to break stereotypes in classrooms and inspire the next generation of knowledge keepers and seekers.

    EXPLORE JUNIORS CONTENT →

  • Private events, gatherings, and trainings provide an opportunity for us to create meaningful, tailored experiences, while also supporting our work to engage the public with critical ideas. It’s a win-win.

    BROWSE OUR OFFERINGS →

  • WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    “When you’re on the quest to know things and you figure out that there are different ways of knowing, I think what you come back to is compassion.”

    — XIAO XIAO, PHD, I AM A SCIENTIST FEATURED SCIENTIST

  • WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    “[The Plenary, Co.] has achieved the rare feat of making important topics both fun and sophisticated, allowing adults to satisfy their curious inner child while maintaining their street cred.”

    — RODRIGO BRAGA, COMMUNITY MEMBER

  • WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

    “This show went far and beyond expectations and showed me how my brain will make assumptions based on my experiences, giving me the opportunity to reframe and reconsider how others may experience the world. It was truly a life-changing experience”

    — CRAIG BIDIMAN, IT’S ONLY HUMAN PARTICIPANT

SHOP COLLECTIONS

Everyone loves merch, but we try to keep our collection focused and intentional, bringing you sustainably-produced, ethically-sourced, and artisan-crafted products that support and exemplify our mission.

2-23

Our 2023 Annual Report is live!

See what we accomplished, what we’re grateful for, and where we’re headed next.

→ 2023

→ 2022

→ 2021

Our featured supporters

& partners:

Our generous funders, sponsors, and partners make it possible for us to keep going and growing.