The Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI), by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation is awarding $3 million to 49 arts institutions across the US. The initiative is set to address climate change through cultural institutions.
The foundation’s 10 million USD initiative is a result of a partnership between RMI and Environment & Culture Partners non-profits. The program was launched last year and has awarded 8.1 million USD to this day.
Lise Motherwell, the foundation’s chair, says that the first round of the grants allowed museums to prepare and respond to climate-driven disasters by creating avenues to ensure the long-term operation of these institutions. This phase, the second phase, is to expand the reach of the foundation by impacting and advancing current projects in active development. This phase will also strive to find a new roster of visual art institutions that need the support to meet their goals to combat climate change.
The inaugural grant cycle has awarded 79 institutions with more than 5 million USD in funding.
The recipients of the second round of climate grants include art schools and non-collecting visual arts organizations 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.
The second phase motivates individuals across the sector, from students to genuine enthusiasts to understand the importance of this initiative and become parties to change for the better.
“The global climate catastrophe has never been more urgent,” said Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of RMI.
The foundation is holding a special discussion with New York-based grantees during Climate Week NYC on 19 September at the Morgan Library & Museum.
“Cultural institutions have proven the ability to change by improving their usage of energy and ways to generate clean energy. This sets a great example for other charitable organizations. “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.” added Sarah Sutton, CEO of Environment.
The next cycle, the third phase is set to open in February 2023.