The Block Museum of Art

Evanston, IL

The Block is Northwestern University's art museum, which serves as a bridge to the surrounding communities of Evanston and the greater Chicago metropolitan area. Its research, exhibitions, and programs center what has been overlooked or understudied, and present opportunities to reframe narratives of art and history through an interdisciplinary lens. With approximately 7,000 artworks in its holdings, the foundation of the museum's collection lies in prints, drawings, and photographs; The Block also collects modern and contemporary art globally across all mediums. As a free museum on Northwestern’s campus, The Block plays an important role in fostering engagement with the visual arts.

A 2026 FCI Scoping Grant will support a feasibility study evaluating local electric boiler installation as an alternative to the museum's reliance on central plant steam, plus a UV protection assessment for the museum's glass-enclosed lobby to reduce HVAC load. The study will provide the Block with actionable data to support a major transition away from fossil-fuel–based heating infrastructure.