The Green Ribbon Commission (GRC) 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.
The Cultural Institutions of Boston are integral to the fabric and character of the city. Museums, theaters, concert halls and sports arenas — especially those with collections and buildings — need help preparing for future climate impacts, and they also need strategies for transitioning to carbon-free energy use.
Thanks to their unique “line of business,” the cultural institutions have much to contribute in terms of communication, outreach, and thought-provoking programming. These institutions have the potential to influence our perceptions of shared challenges, expand our understanding of complex issues, and reach very large audiences. Their voices are therefore integral to helping people understand climate in creative, interdisciplinary ways.
Chairs
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Carole Charnow
President and CEO
Boston Children’s Museum -
Chris Cook
Executive Director
The Greenway -
Sharon Malt
President
Huntington Theatre Company Board of Trustees -
Tim Ritchie
President
Museum of Science -
Gwill York
Founding Managing Director, Lighthouse Capital Partners;
Board of Trustees President, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Participating Organizations
Arts Boston, ArtsEmerson, Boston Architectural College, Boston Athenæum, Boston Ballet, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Public Library, Boston Red Sox, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Triennial, Embrace Boston, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, ArtsEmerson, Esplanade Association, Historic New England, Huntington Theatre Company, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Mass Art, Massachusetts Historical Society, Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Paul Revere House, Rose Kennedy Greenway, The Trustees, Zoo New England.
Working Group Initiatives
CCAP 2025/2026 Cohort
Applications are now open for the 2025/2026 cohort! Claim your seat for year 5 of the Collaborative Climate Action Planning Cohort. Led by Dallase Scott, founder of Trust and an expert facilitator, this nine-month program provides structured support to help institutions develop a practical, actionable Climate Action Plan while fostering a peer-learning community focused on mitigation, resilience, and climate justice.
Cultural Institution Working Group Newsletter
The CIWG was formed in 2017 for the purpose of bringing Boston’s cultural institutions more prominently into advancing the city’s climate work. As part of the GRC, the CIWG offers connections to expertise, provides a common platform for learning about new ideas, and organizes member institutions to identify and pursue goals.