Maude Kerns Art Center

Eugenia, OR

Maude Kerns Art Center (MKAC) is a nonprofit community center dedicated exclusively to the visual arts, founded in 1950. The center is housed in a converted early twentieth-century church and offers exhibitions, educational programs, artist services, and affordable cooperative studios. Its programming includes exhibitions by emerging and established artists, and annual traditions like Dia de los Muertos and the Mayor's Teen Art Show. With a 75-year legacy and a commitment to equity in arts access, MKAC is working to reduce its carbon footprint while preserving the architectural integrity of its historic facility.

A 2025 FCI Scoping Grant engaged a local energy and mechanical engineering firm to conduct a scoping study of the building’s aging heating systems, which are still largely reliant on gas. The study assessed energy performance, identified high-impact upgrades, and offered phased recommendations for transitioning to high-efficiency, electric systems—providing a strategic foundation for decarbonization while improving comfort and resilience.

A 2026 FCI Implementation Grant will support heating, cooling, and energy performance upgrades to the main building, completing Phase 2 of MKAC’s decarbonization plan. The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to less than 5 percent of previous levels within one year, marking a transformative environmental milestone for one of Oregon's longest-serving community arts institutions.