Springfield Art Museum

Springfield, MO

As Springfield’s leading cultural institution, the Springfield Art Museum (SAM) nurtures creativity, inspires curiosity, and deepens understanding through its diverse collection of over 10,000 works, spanning American art alongside watermedia, printmaking, textiles, and Asian art. The Museum actively engages the community through dynamic exhibitions, hands-on educational programs, and outreach initiatives that prioritize equity and inclusion, ensuring access to the arts for people of all backgrounds and ages across the region.

Supported by FCI, the SAM is implementing a comprehensive Energy Efficiency Improvement Project that will upgrade aging HVAC systems, enhance building insulation, and improve roofing performance. These measures will significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, while creating stable climate conditions essential for preserving the Museum’s collection and enhancing visitor experience. Aligned with the City of Springfield’s Green Building Policy and targeting LEED Silver certification—a nationally recognized benchmark for sustainable building design—this project advances the Museum’s commitment to environmental stewardship. As part of a broader renovation and expansion scheduled for completion by its 100th anniversary in 2028, these improvements position the Museum as a leader in sustainable cultural stewardship and education for future generations.

Milestones

• Replace inefficient HVAC with modular heat-pump chiller and zone-level controls

• Install continuous insulation and vapor-retarding barriers on vault masonry walls

• Upgrade roofing systems with high-performance energy-efficient thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing and enhanced insulation

• Achieve LEED Silver certification through integrated energy and sustainability measures

• Reduce overall energy consumption and support conversion to an all-electric facility

• Complete renovation and expansion in time for the museum’s 100th anniversary in 2028