Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Memphis, TN

Founded in 1916, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art (MBMA) is a cultural cornerstone in the American South, dedicated to creating joy through the power of art while centering diverse perspectives. Serving 125,000 visitors annually, MBMA stewards a collection of 10,000 artworks spanning 5,000 years and hosts a broad range of exhibitions and educational programs. Located in one of the nation’s largest majority Black cities, and an area highly vulnerable to climate change and environmental injustice, MBMA embraces an inclusive mission that integrates social equity and sustainability. Through community engagement and accessible programming, the museum acts as a trusted cultural hub fostering dialogue on climate resilience and creative expression.

Supported by FCI, MBMA will install a Building Management System in its new downtown riverfront museum opening in December 2026 to optimize energy use, reduce reliance on natural gas, and support its pursuit of LEED Silver certification—a nationally recognized standard for environmentally responsible buildings. This system, along with energy-efficient lighting, thermal insulation, and air-cooled chillers, will improve the museum’s capacity to preserve fragile collections and deliver educational programming that connects climate action with artistic practice. MBMA plans to share its experiences with the broader museum community to promote sustainable best practices nationwide.

Milestones

• Install advanced Building Management System to optimize HVAC, lighting, and energy use

• Achieve LEED Silver certification through integrated sustainable building systems
  Reduce annual energy consumption by 22 percent and GHG emissions by 16 percent

• Incorporate 26 percent embodied carbon reduction through sustainable materials and design

• Complete construction with Herzog & de Meuron and Archimania

• Open new museum facility in December 2026 with enhanced climate-focused programming