Maryland Institute College of Art

Baltimore, MD

Founded in 1826, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is the nation’s oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design and a leader in creative education, innovation, and social engagement. Located in Baltimore, the college offers top-ranked programs in fine arts, design, and media, enrolling approximately 1,900 students annually across undergraduate and graduate degrees. MICA plays a central role in the city’s cultural landscape and contributes to national conversations around the intersection of art, sustainability, and civic leadership. The institution’s interdisciplinary curriculum fosters future-oriented thinking, preparing students to shape a more equitable and imaginative world through the visual arts.

The MICA Energy Efficiency Initiative is an ambitious project targeting the improvement of energy performance across the campus. With support from FCI, MICA will advance the second phase of its initiative through technical assistance focused on HVAC modernization in four core campus buildings: Mt. Royal Station, the Fox Building, the Bunting Center, and the Fred Lazarus IV Center. This phase will include detailed engineering design, energy modeling, and financial planning to prepare for full-scale implementation. The project aims to upgrade outdated heating and cooling systems with more efficient, digitally controlled equipment, explore options for zoned temperature regulation and occupancy-based ventilation, and assess opportunities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through electrification. These improvements will enhance comfort, lower operating costs, and significantly reduce energy use while aligning campus infrastructure with MICA’s long-term climate goals.

Milestones

• Design energy-efficient upgrades for four key academic and studio buildings

• Replace aging mechanical systems with high-performance equipment

• Implement strategies projected to reduce HVAC-related energy consumption by 30 percent

• Evaluate opportunities for electrification and clean energy integration

• Develop procurement plans and financial analysis to support implementation

• Improve indoor air quality and align facilities with institutional climate objectives