The art world is undergoing a significant transformation in the current era of escalating climate crises,adapting its operations to minimize environmental damage. The growing awareness of the role that art spaces play in contributing to carbon emissions has prompted galleries and museums worldwide to seek eco-conscious solutions. This shift towards sustainability is a necessity for the art world that seeks to reflect and shape society. Designing sustainable art spaces, from reducing transportation emissions to building greener galleries, is one the important elements to the future of the art ecosystem.
Why Eco-Conscious Galleries Are Critical for the Art World
Galleries have traditionally been places of creativity and innovation, but their environmental impact is significant. The reliance on air travel for shipping artworks, high-energy lighting, and the waste generated from packaging and materials all contribute to the carbon footprint of art institutions. In light of climate change, galleries must actively implement sustainable practices within their operations along with showcasing works that reflect environmental concerns. By creating eco-conscious galleries, the art world can lead by example, setting the stage for creative, environmentally sustainable spaces that do not compromise the aesthetic or useful experience.
Transportation: Reducing the Environmental Impact
One of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in the art world is transportation. Shipping artworks across the globe, particularly via air freight, significantly adds to the industry’s environmental footprint. According to the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), an organization dedicated to reducing the art world’s carbon footprint, air travel produces 60 times more emissions than sea freight. Hauser & Wirth gallery, a prominent member of GCC, is now using sea freight for transporting its high-value artworks. They are advocating that with the right crating, insurance, and remote supervision, it is absolutely a viable route. The sustainability head of the gallery, Ciodhna Murphy, mentioned in an interview with Artsy that in the year 2023, they have shipped six exhibitions via sea freight, saving approximately 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to 150 return economy flights between London and New York.
Shipping
In addition to switching to sea freight, galleries are finding ways to optimize their transportation methods. Options like consolidating shipments, using recycled packaging materials, and opting for flexible timelines can all contribute to lowering emissions. Rokbox is one such company that has been working to reduce the art market’s carbon impact. Andrew Stramentov, who co-founded the company in 2015, invented a novel type of reusable shipping container that is especially designed to decrease the environmental effect, danger, and expense of transporting art. In the face of a rapidly escalating environmental catastrophe, fine art merchants and museums all over the world have adopted Rokbox’s design.
Sustainability in Exhibition Programs and Gallery Practices
Beyond transportation, galleries are also integrating sustainability into their exhibition programs. Many institutions are hosting benefit exhibitions aimed at raising awareness and funds for environmental causes. Tribeca’s 1969 Gallery and Charles Moffett in New York are leading examples of this trend, with exhibitions like World Beyond World supporting ocean conservation and Not Too Late raising funds for global conservation projects through the Art to Acres initiative. These exhibitions not only showcase the artistic response to environmental issues but also actively contribute to addressing them.
Another way galleries incorporate sustainable strategies is by actively reducing routine waste. For example, London’s Cristea Roberts Gallery is working to include sustainable materials into its daily operations. Alan Cristea, co-director of the gallery, stated that the gallery is committed to decreasing energy use and has aggressively prohibited polystyrene and single-use plastics in favor of more sustainable materials.
Green Building Materials and Architecture
The physical structure of art galleries plays a pivotal role in their sustainability efforts. Traditional materials like concrete, while ubiquitous, are highly carbon-intensive, both in their production and use. However, alternatives like sustainably sourced timber offer more eco-friendly options. Timber is renewable, has a lower carbon footprint, and can be sustainably harvested and transported. Using bamboo and other eco-conscious materials in architecture allows for the creation of green spaces that blend seamlessly with the environment while reducing their ecological impact.
In addition to material choices, galleries are focusing on energy efficiency in their design. Lighting, often a major energy drain in galleries, can be optimized through the use of LED systems and solar power installations. Incorporating plants and green spaces into gallery designs further helps absorb CO2, purify air, and reduce heat, making the spaces healthier for visitors and staff alike.
Going Digital: A New Era for Art Galleries
The digital revolution offers an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of galleries. The COVID-19 pandemic forced much of the art world online, and while this was initially seen as a temporary solution, the success of virtual exhibitions has demonstrated the potential for long-term changes. For example, the Intersect Aspen art fair, which moved online in 2020, garnered significant success, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors without the environmental cost of physical travel.
Digital platforms now allow galleries to connect with global audiences, sell art, and even stage virtual exhibitions without the carbon-heavy footprint of international shipping and travel. By embracing digital transformation, galleries can maintain the global reach of the art world while significantly reducing the need for energy-intensive practices.
Green Spaces: A Breath of Fresh Air
Incorporating green spaces within gallery environments is another powerful way to promote sustainability. Trees, plants, and shrubbery improve air quality and provide habitats for wildlife, and also enhance visitors’ mental well-being. Green spaces reduce stress and improve cognitive function, making them valuable additions to any public institution. Museums and galleries, by including green spaces in their design, can create eco-conscious, community-friendly spaces that align with their artistic missions.
Stakeholders in Sustainability: The Gallery Climate Coalition and Beyond
Numerous organizations are leading the charge in promoting sustainability in the art world. The Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), founded in 2020, has been instrumental in establishing guidelines and resources for galleries looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Their goals include cutting emissions by 50% by 2030 and promoting best practices in areas like transportation, energy use, and waste management. Similarly, initiatives like the ‘Advisory Board for the Arts’ and ‘Museum Next’ are helping institutions incorporate sustainable solutions into their operations, from exhibition curation to building design.
Stakeholders such as Rokbox, Art to Acres, and galleries like Hauser & Wirth and Charles Moffett are proving that the art world can be a key player in the fight against climate change. By aligning themselves with these innovative organizations and embracing sustainable practices, galleries can reduce their environmental impact while continuing to inspire audiences through their art.
As climate change continues to reshape our world, the art ecosystem must adapt. Designing sustainable art spaces goes beyond being a passive trend—it is a responsibility that galleries, museums, and institutions must embrace. From reducing transportation emissions to rethinking building materials and creating green spaces, the art world is on the cusp of a sustainable transformation. By working together with a strong commitment to sustainability advocacy, we can create eco-conscious galleries that protect the planet for future generations while showcasing artistic experiences.
