Counterpublic

St. Louis, MO

Counterpublic is a triennial exhibition reimagining the role of art in public life. Based in St. Louis, the organization connects bold artistic commissions to the region’s most pressing challenges—embedding contemporary art in civic spaces, historic sites, and community contexts across the city. As one of the largest public art exhibitions in the country, Counterpublic works across disciplines and neighborhoods to cultivate generational change through long-term civic engagement, publishing, and public programs.

Counterpublic is developing a Climate Strategy and Action Plan that will guide its 2026 citywide exhibition toward a carbon-neutral model. Funding from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative will support an energy and greenhouse gas  assessment. The plan includes a full organizational climate impact assessment, emissions tracking and monitoring tools, and training for artists, curators, and partners. It also explores innovative offset approaches such as artist-led carbon capture commissions, investments in partner site infrastructure, and a participatory carbon credit initiative for audiences. This work marks the first step in a multi-year effort to align curatorial vision with environmental responsibility—establishing a replicable model for climate-conscious exhibition-making.

Milestones

• Conduct a comprehensive organizational climate impact assessment

• Develop tracking tools for emissions across travel, procurement, fabrication, and hospitality

• Create a training and education program for staff, artists, and partners

• Design a public-facing carbon offset strategy tied to commissions and infrastructure

• Pilot a participatory carbon credit program with exhibition audiences

• Build a shareable, replicable framework for sustainable biennial exhibition models