Anchorage Museum Sustainability Action Plan

Situated on the front line of climate change in Alaska, the Anchorage Museum houses a vast collection of material culture and offers many workshops and classes, artist residencies, and public art installations. The museum is also home to the regional office of the Smithsonian’s Arctic Studies Center, which gathers Native peoples, museum staff, and other scholars in collaboration to conduct research on northern culture, history, and environments. 

The Anchorage Museum will use its NEH Climate Smart award to produce a comprehensive sustainability plan which will align with the institution's long-term capital plan and contribute to the city of Anchorage’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Climate Smart grant will support a climate and sustainability working group in conducting a comprehensive energy and carbon audit for the museum. 

The Anchorage Museum Sustainability Plan emphasizes engagement with and education of members of the public and other institutions about humanities-based sustainability initiatives and plans for meeting with other museum professionals to share best practices. In its outreach, the museum seeks to elevate Indigenous and diverse voices and highlight innovative social and climate justice initiatives.