Ways Art Museums Can Drive Sustainability: Simple Steps to Follow
The impact of climate change on museums has been well documented in recent years. Rising sea levels, floods, wildfires, and severe weather pose significant risks to museum collections. Organizations such as the Gallery Climate Coalition are advocating for sustainability efforts in the industry, including using low emission vehicles for shipping art and promoting energy efficiency in museum buildings.
One crucial conversation involves relaxing climate standards in exhibition design to allow for more fluctuation in temperature and humidity. The Bizot Green Protocol recommends this shift, as most museum collections can thrive under a wider range of climate conditions. By doing so, smaller organizations with less stable climate environments can also bring art to their communities, expanding access to underserved areas.
Another practical step museums can take is to reduce their carbon footprint by 50% in exhibitions. This can be achieved by extending the duration of traveling exhibitions to 24 weeks instead of the typical 12 weeks. Art Bridges, a foundation working with partner museums across the US, has adopted this practice successfully.
Furthermore, data from visitor surveys suggests that traveling exhibitions may not be the primary motivation for museum visits. Therefore, limiting the number of exhibitions annually and focusing on community engagement and philanthropy in membership programs can be more impactful than transactional benefits.
By implementing these sustainable practices, museums can reduce their environmental impact, improve worker satisfaction, and better serve their communities. Collective action is essential to creating positive change in the museum industry towards sustainability.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.