Newfields

Indianapolis, IN

Newfields is a 152-acre cultural campus in Indianapolis comprising the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), The Garden, and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park. At its core is the IMA, one of the country’s largest and oldest encyclopedic museums, housing more than 41,000 objects that span 4,000 years of global art history. With conservation labs, performance venues, and robust educational programming, Newfields integrates the visual arts and nature across its campus to fulfill its mission: enriching lives through exceptional experiences with art and nature.

With FCI support, Newfields will develop a Sustainable Infrastructure Master Plan to guide long-term upgrades to the IMA’s aging building systems. Much of the museum’s infrastructure, including its Krannert Pavilion (1970), is outdated and inefficient. In partnership with J. S. Held and a design team to be selected in mid-2025, the project will deliver assessments, conceptual engineering, and sustainability benchmarking to shape future renovations. Priorities include reducing energy and water use, minimizing emissions, enhancing resilience, and eliminating outdated gas-burning equipment. This master planning effort will set the stage for sustainable operations, improved guest experience, and sector-wide leadership in low-carbon museum infrastructure.

Milestones

• Complete building systems assessments across IMA pavilions

• Evaluate energy, water, and emissions reduction opportunities

• Select multidisciplinary design team for sustainable master planning

• Integrate resilience and guest experience goals into infrastructure roadmap

• Develop phased implementation strategies aligned with capital planning

• Position Newfields as a national leader in sustainable museum design