Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 

Boston, MA

Where many worldviews meet, new ways of seeing, thinking, and understanding emerge. Showcasing ancient artistry and modern masterpieces, local legends and global visionaries, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, MA ’s collection of nearly 500,000 works tells the story of the human experience—a story that holds unique meaning for everyone. It celebrates diverse cultures and welcomes new and broader constituencies. The Museum aims to provide a sense of pleasure, pride, and discovery, leading to a greater cultural awareness and discernment. 

The MFA strives to incorporate sustainability into planning and decision-making to reduce the environmental impact of facilities and operations, and to increase resiliency. A 2021 FCI Implementation grant supported the upgrade of the air handling unit controls that cover approximately 40 percent of the Museum's gallery spaces. This reduced the Museum's energy consumption by approximately 1,702,034 kwh and 55,901 therms annually. A 2025 FCI Implementation grant will replace the existing electric steam humidification system with energy efficient adiabatic mist humidification in the MFA’s Linde Wing. With storage and display spaces requiring high energy use to attain specific temperature and relative humidity settings, this transition will allow the MFA to keep protecting collections while reducing environmental impact.

Milestones

• Ensure optimal humidity control for artwork preservation

• Reduce energy use by approximately 80 percent, resulting in a 30–70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions annually