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Cultural Institutions Working Group

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

  • 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

Arnold Arboretum, ArtsEmerson, Boston Architectural College, Boston Athenæum, Boston Ballet, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Public Library, Boston Red Sox, Boston Society of Architects, Boston Symphony Orchestra, BSA Foundation, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, ArtsEmerson, Esplanade Association, Fenway Alliance, Goethe-Institut Boston, Handel and Haydn Society, Harvard Art Museums, Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, Huntington Theatre Company, Institute of Contemporary Art, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum, Mary Baker Eddy Library, Mass Art, Massachusetts Historical Society, Metropolitan Waterworks Museum, Museum of African American History, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, New England Historic Genealogical Society, New England Museum Association, Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, Now + There, Paul Revere House, Rose Kennedy Greenway, USS Constitution Museum, Zoo New England.

Working Group Initiatives

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.

Contact

Additional Working Groups

Health Care

The Health Care Working group unites leading healthcare facilities in the Greater Boston to catalyze; a focus on energy efficiency, the transition to renewable energy, and advocate for the significant health benefits of carbon mitigation to patient and home communities.
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Higher Education

The Higher Education Working Group leverages the higher education sector’s capabilities for climate action by sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration within and across sectors to support the City of Boston in meeting its climate goals.
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Commercial Real Estate

The Commercial Real Estate Working Group convenes leading Boston property owners and developers to accelerate leadership of Boston’s commercial real estate organizations to support the City in meeting the aggressive goals laid out in its Climate Action Plan.
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