The Art of Sustainability

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This paper examines the ways in which visual arts organizations, which include galleries, museums or schools with exhibition space are incorporating environmentally sustainable strategies into their daily operations and programming. The economic hardships currently being experienced by the arts and cultural sector, along with increasing concerns over climate change and dwindling natural resources has created an important opportunity for collaboration between the arts and the environment. The focus of the study is on the use of sustainable practices in the production of art, the use of art to educate the public on environmental issues, the construction of green facilities and the implementation of green business operations. This paper explores the reasons why certain organizations have chosen to implement green strategies and others have not. By assessing current trends in sustainable practices, highlighting obstacles arts organizations confront in their efforts to be green and providing recommendations for moving forward, this study addresses research areas that have been largely ignored within the sector. Although many organizations are making commendable strides in green initiatives, there is no overarching understanding of what the visual arts should be doing. Beyond the organization, authority on environmental issues needs to be delegated for the entire visual arts field. Implementing green practices requires collaboration with leaders across multiple disciplines. Creating best practices and field wide policies, along with marketing green efforts can be achieved by working together within and outside of the visual arts community. If visual arts organizations use the strategies presented in this paper they may be able to better engage existing audiences and attract new ones, cut operating costs, generate positive public relations, increase funding opportunities, expand programming and contribute to the worldâs environmental wellness.%%%%M.S., Arts Administration – Drexel University, 2009