Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts

New York, NY

Established in 1992, the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (EFA) is dedicated to providing artists across all disciplines with space, tools and a cooperative forum for the development of individual practice. EFA is a catalyst for cultural growth, stimulating new interactions between artists, creative communities, and the public. EFA has helped launch artists like Jordan Casteel, Toyin Odutola, Hank Willis Thomas, and Saya Woolfalk, among others. International studio residencies advance artists' networks and careers in New York.

EFA has owned its building since 1998 and while major upfits to building facilities have been undertaken, an overall energy audit and deferred maintenance plan does not exist. Additionally, more immediate mandates by New York City must be met, including Local Law 88 energy requirements and Local Law 97’s 2030 carbon reduction targets, to avoid penalties. In response, EFA is undertaking a building assessment project to evaluate all facility systems, energy use, and carbon output. This assessment will inform capital upgrades required to meet New York carbon reduction mandates and foster a healthier environment for studio artists and EFA audiences. FCI funding will help cover the costs of a full-scale energy assessment to create a long-term roadmap for capital upgrades. By improving energy performance, EFA can lower operational costs and reinvest savings into artist programs, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the building. The results will inform strategic capital upgrades that create a healthier and more resilient environment for artists and the broader community.

Milestones

• Conduct a comprehensive energy assessment of its twelve-story facility

• Identify opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and comply with New York City’s LL97 & LL88 regulations

• Decrease energy consumption by an estimated 25 percent

• Reduce emissions to 204 tCO2e/yr by 2030 and 125 tCO2e/yr by 2035