Nevada Museum of Art embeds sustainability into operations and exhibitions

The Nevada Museum of Art (NMA) in Reno has woven environmentalism into its very essence since it was founded in 1931 by James Church, who was a pioneer in measuring snowpack for climate research. In 2009, the museum established the Institute for Art + Environment, which houses archives from over 1,500 artists. Under chief curator Apsara DiQuinzio in 2021, a Green Team was formed to devise a sustainability strategy in line with the Paris Agreement, aiming to cut emissions and waste by 2030. They assessed their carbon footprint from 2019 with help from Ki Culture. A 2022 expansion boosted their space by 42% while only increasing energy use by 15%. Their current exhibition, 'Into the Time Horizon,' running until January 3, 2027, showcases nearly 200 artists, including Eric-Paul Riege and Kiki Smith, with a focus on reducing shipping emissions. Notably, they are the first museum in the US to use algae-based polymers for wall labels, sourced from Other Matter in Melbourne. The Art + Environment Summit, 'Under Pressure,' held in April 2026, brought together artists, scientists, and Indigenous leaders to discuss the climate impacts of mining and data centers, especially the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, which hosts Tesla and Google. CEO David Walker highlighted Nevada's adventurous spirit, while DiQuinzio pointed out the state's varied political landscape as an opportunity for dialogue.