Boston’s cultural institutions face unique challenges amid the accelerating climate crisis as they work to balance the sometimes divergent demands of City goals and ordinances (BERDO) with the care and display of priceless works of art. Fortunately, the global museum field – through efforts like the Bizot Group’s Green Protocol – is rethinking long-held standards for collection care, climate control, and operations which seek to align climate response with excellence in object stewardship.
With support from the Barr Foundation ArtsAmplified Initiative, the ICA and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum have partnered to examine how international climate protocols and local regulatory frameworks intersect—and what mid-sized institutions can do to meaningfully reduce emissions while preserving their missions.
As part of this GRCx, Kelly Gifford, Deputy Director of the ICA, and Holly Salmon, John L. and Susan K. Gardner Director of Conservation of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, will explore the findings of recent cross-institutional roundtables, challenges and opportunities for compliance and innovation under BERDO, and new approaches to energy efficiency, exhibition design, and art loans.
The program will conclude with an audience Q&A moderated by Annie Lundsten of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission.
Speakers
- Kelly Gifford, Deputy Director, Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston and members of the ICA’s curatorial team
- Holly Salmon, John L. and Susan K. Gardner Director of Conservation, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Annie Lundsten, Co-Founder, The Experience Alchemists (GRC Moderator)
About the GRC Cultural Institutions Working Group:
The Cultural Institutions Working Group comprises a wide variety of arts, sports, nature-based, historic, and entertainment organizations in and near Boston, as they build awareness and drive action on climate issues on behalf of their own organizations, the cultural sector, the City, and audiences.