Sustainability in Art: 6 Ways to Promote a Greener Future
Two hundred eighty-seven art galleries, 40 different countries, and tens of thousands of guests — this will be the scope of 2024’s Art Basel.
For the art world, this return to pre-pandemic sizes for the world’s largest art show is excellent news. It means more art, more sales, and a shot in the arm to an industry facing headwinds after several banner years.
However, for all the benefits of these big, international art shows, there should be more discussion of the costs. Global art events generate a sizable carbon footprint — from flying in art and guests to using tons of materials for temporary exhibits.
This environmental concern extends beyond just the largest shows. Even the smallest collectors, galleries, and exhibitors contribute to making the art world less eco-friendly than it could be.
Fortunately, there are ways to make a difference. In this guide, we’ll draw on our decades of experience in the art world to share top tips on how you can make your contribution to the art world a little greener.
Minimize the Impact of Transport
Transport is the biggest contributor to emissions in the art world. Whether people fly in to see an exhibit or ship works of art across the globe, these trips add up quickly.
For instance, if you’re sending a relatively light work of art by air from New York to LA for a show, that could release 31.29 kg of emissions into the air alone.
The first tip is to minimize all non-essential travel. The most eco-conscious trip is the one that doesn’t happen.
However, in many instances, transit is unavoidable. In these cases, you’ll want to follow some best practices to reduce the impact of that transit, such as:
- Choosing slower land transit methods over faster air travel.
- Using recycled or reusable materials to pack and store the art.
- Reducing the weight of the package as much as possible (while still making sure it is protected).
- Allowing for flexible timelines so multiple packages can be shipped together.
For the average collector, figuring out how to do all of this on your own would be a tall task. For this reason, the best way to make your art transport greener is to work with a specialty art transport company specializing in eco-friendly transit.
If you’re looking for this kind of service, please contact us. We’d be happy to direct you to a local, responsible option near you.
Think Local
Embracing local artists, galleries, and services is good for your community. It’s also a powerful way to reduce your carbon footprint.
So before you purchase pieces or work with organizations from overseas, it’s worth looking into what your local art community can offer.
On the most basic level, this includes investing in local and emerging artists. This action supports your community’s creative ecosystem and significantly reduces the environmental impact of transporting art from international galleries.
You can take this one step further by choosing to work with local galleries, museums, appraisers, and specialty storage facilities. These local partnerships further reduce the need for long-distance shipping and travel, cutting down on transportation-related emissions. They also often lead to more personalized service and a deeper connection to your local art community.
If you’re not sure how to get started, here are some actions you can take:
- Attend local art fairs and gallery openings to discover emerging talent in your area.
- Partner with nearby museums for exhibitions or donations, reducing the distance artworks need to travel.
- Utilize local appraisers for valuations.
- Store your collection in nearby specialty facilities, minimizing transportation for maintenance and viewing.
Thinking locally doesn’t mean limiting your artistic horizons. Instead, it’s about balancing global appreciation and local action, ensuring that your art-collecting practices are as environmentally conscious as possible.
Invest in Eco-Conscious Art and Collectibles
While how you collect art can significantly impact your carbon footprint, what you collect matters just as much. By focusing on eco-conscious art and collectibles, you can further reduce your environmental impact while supporting sustainable practices in the art world.
One of the most environmentally friendly ways to collect is to invest in antiques. These pieces have already stood the test of time, and by giving them a new home, you’re extending their lifecycle without creating demand for new production. Antiques often come with rich histories and unique stories, adding depth to your collection while being a green choice.
Beyond antiques, consider promoting and investing in art that uses sustainable materials. Many contemporary artists are leading this area, creating stunning works from recycled materials, natural pigments, or other eco-friendly mediums. By supporting these artists, you’re encouraging more innovation and growth in these sustainable mediums.
Beyond the art itself, you can apply these same principles to how you choose to display art. This can include:
- Using antique frames to house your art.
- Making frames and stands from reclaimed wood to prevent further deforestation.
- Looking for sustainable alternatives to traditional materials, like swapping metal for bamboo.
Investing in eco-conscious art and using sustainable display methods are both small steps. But as more people do them, they can become the norm, inspiring a broader shift towards sustainability in art collecting and production.
Advocate for Sustainable Practices Within Exhibitions, Galleries, and Museums
Art collectors are not the only ones who can improve the sustainability of this industry. People involved with art galleries, exhibitions, and museums can too.
Besides private homes, these are the places where art is most likely to spend most of its time. Making these areas more eco-friendly could go a long way toward making gains in the industry as a whole.
If you’re involved with any of these organizations, here are some specific actions you can take:
- Encourage art facilities to adopt renewable energy sources, such as solar panels for power.
- Promote waste reduction and recycling initiatives at exhibitions. This could include proper sorting stations, reusable or compostable utensils for any catering, and digital catalogs instead of printed ones.
- Engage in conversations with galleries, artists, and other collectors about coordinating transit plans. By consolidating shipments, the art world can significantly reduce its transportation-related emissions.
- Adopt energy-efficient lighting in galleries and museums.
- Push for the use of recycled or biodegradable materials in exhibition displays.
When participating in or sponsoring art events and fairs, prioritize those committed to sustainability. Look for events that use renewable energy sources, implement comprehensive recycling programs, and actively work to minimize their carbon footprint.
Go Digital
If the pandemic showed us anything, it’s that we can do many in-person activities just as well online. The art world is no different.
Virtual art experiences offer a compelling alternative to traditional physical exhibitions, with a fraction of the carbon footprint.
By shifting art experiences online, we can:
- Eliminate the need for art transportation, drastically cutting emissions associated with shipping and handling.
- Reduce energy consumption required for maintaining physical gallery spaces.
- Reach a global audience without the environmental costs of international travel.
- Preserve delicate artwork by minimizing physical handling and exposure.
Plus, when we start to think more about how art and the internet can intersect, interesting new avenues emerge.
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are revolutionizing how people experience art. These platforms allow for detailed exploration of artworks and exhibitions from anywhere in the world, democratizing access to art while minimizing the need for physical travel.
Plus, they allow for experiences not possible otherwise. Whether it’s giant waves crashing over Seoul or a child’s artwork coming to life, the possibilities are truly limitless.
However, it’s important to note that digital technologies do have a carbon footprint, primarily through energy consumption. When adopting digital art solutions, choose platforms that minimize their impact through renewable energy sources and efficient data management practices.
Choose the Right Partners to Go Green
The easiest way to improve the sustainability of the art industry is to find the right partners to help you.
By aligning yourself with organizations that share your commitment to sustainability, you can amplify your efforts and contribute to making art more sustainable.
When selecting museums, galleries, or dealers to work with, prioritize those with demonstrated green initiatives. Look for partners who:
- Operate in LEED-certified buildings, which are designed for optimal energy efficiency and can maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels for art preservation with minimal environmental impact.
- Implement sustainable practices in their operations, such as using renewable energy, minimizing waste, and employing eco-friendly materials in exhibitions.
- Actively promote and support artists who create environmentally conscious work or use sustainable materials.
Insurance is another crucial aspect of art collecting, and your choice can make a difference. Consider partnering with insurers invested in making the art and collectibles industry more environmentally friendly. For instance, Distinguished offers innovative policies that incentivize green practices.
When you get Fine Art and Collectibles Insurance through Distinguished, you get access to:
- Discounts for art and collectibles stored in LEED-certified buildings encourage the use of energy-efficient storage solutions.
- Additional coverages for loss or damage to reusable crates or packing materials.
Your choice of partners sends a powerful message. When you consistently opt for environmentally conscious collaborators like Distinguished, you create demand for green practices in the art world. This demand can lead to a ripple effect, encouraging more organizations to adopt sustainable initiatives and drive positive change in the world of art.
Learn More About Distinguished’s Fine Art and Collectibles Program
No matter your role in the art world, you’ll likely need some form of insurance policy. Distinguished’s Fine Art and Collectibles Program offers a wide variety of policies that cover all kinds of people and organizations.
This includes:
If you have questions about our program, feel free to check our Fine Art and Collectibles Program page or reach out. We’d be happy to assist you.
About Distinguished Programs
Distinguished Programs is a leading national insurance Program Manager providing specialized insurance programs to brokers and agents with specific expertise in Fine Art and Collectibles, Environmental and Construction Professional, Executive Lines, Inland Marine, Real Estate & Builder’s Risk, Community Associations, Hotels, and Restaurants. Property and Liability products are distributed through a national network of agents and brokers. Serving the same core markets and partnering with the most stable and reputable carriers, Distinguished’s high-limit Umbrella programs remain the clear choice in its area of specialty for superior coverage, competitive pricing, and attentive service. Through thoughtful innovation, stemming back to 1995, Distinguished Programs fosters growth and opportunities for its brokers, carriers, and employees.
View a full list of our programs and submit business with Distinguished.
‣ Register Your Agency
‣ Learn More
‣ Contact Us
