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Frankenthaler Foundation gives $3m in climate grants to arts institutions

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frankenthaler climate initiative

Frankenthaler Climate Initiative is addressing climate change through cultural institutions.

The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation is awarding $3 million to 49 arts institutions across the US, from museums to art schools, through its Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI).

Dedicated to the legacy of the American abstract artist, the foundation’s $10 million initiative was developed in partnership with the RMI and Environment & Culture Partners non-profits.

Launched last year, the programme is addressing climate change through cultural institutions, with $8.1 million awarded to date. The inaugural grant cycle awarded 79 institutions with more than $5 million in funding.

Lise Motherwell, the foundation’s chair, said the first round of grants helped museums to “prepare for and respond to climate-driven disasters, and create avenues to achieve long-term operational sustainability“.

“This second phase expands our reach and impact by advancing current projects in development and providing a new roster of visual art institutions with the support needed to meet their climate goals,” she added.

$10 million climate initiative

Recipients in its second round of climate grants include non-collecting visual arts organisations and art schools, such as the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, the Pittsburgh Glass Center and the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College.

Museums include the Florence Griswold Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

“The arts can be a powerful force in advancing global efforts against climate change,” said Fred Iseman, president of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation.

He said the second cycle is to “motivate individuals across the arts sector – art students to curators to museumgoers – to be change-makers, actively working to counter the most imminent and palpable threat facing our planet and existence”.

The foundation is holding a special discussion with New York-based grantees during Climate Week NYC on 19 September at the Morgan Library & Museum.

Next cycle to open in February 2023

“The global climate catastrophe has never been more urgent,” said Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of RMI.  

“Cultural institutions have proven that change is possible by improving their energy efficiency and generating clean energy, setting an example for other charitable organizations.” 

“Climate action within the cultural sector has increased significantly since the launch of the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative,” added Sarah Sutton, CEO of Environment & Culture Partners. 

“Cultural institutions are thinking critically about how to build value and community well-being through efforts such as operational sustainability, carbon neutrality, and climate resilience plans.” 

The application process for the next grant cycle is expected to open in February 2023.  

Image: Frankenthaler Climate Initiative

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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