Institutions have large roles to play in climate leadership.  Where is that in 2023?  Come hear four well-informed players in the field that have given deep thoughts to the greening at an institutional level.  How could a plan emerge from multiple stakeholders and what can we learn from the expertise from within the museum?

“Cultural institutions are uniquely positioned to influence change in people, our communities, and the world. While we recognize the impact of art museums on the environment—our very existence depends on the movement of objects and people—we must remain adaptable and accountable as we endeavor to develop solutions and understand our place in creating a greener path forward.” – Guggenheim

“We do all this to protect our collections, buildings, and grounds while also caring for the health and prosperity of the multitude of communities where we and our visitors live and work. The response to a changing climate cannot be separated from the need to achieve environmental justice. “Life on a Sustainable Planet” launched at COP27, the annual meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) that began on Nov. 6 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. The COP is responsible for enforcing the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.” – Smithsonian

In advance of International Museums Day this May, these global institutions are helping us understand the meaning of a coordinated approach to garner institutional support and to increase impact. The AAM Environment Climate Network is deeply invested in a leading-edge discussion.

Click here to register!

Presenters

Daniel Davies, Facilities Manager, South Mall Zone, Smithsonian Institution

Daniel became the Facilities Manager of the South Mall Zone (SMZ) of the Smithsonian Institution in May, 2015.  The SMZ includes the Smithsonian Institution (Castle) Building, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Arts & Industries Building, S. Dillon Ripley Center, National Museum of African Art, Freer Gallery and Sackler Gallery, and the Smithsonian portion of Capital Gallery Building and leased space. Davies is Co-chair of the Collection Space Committee’s Preservation Environment Subcommittee, focused on bridging collaboration between facilities management and collections management.

 Stephanie Felton, Deputy Director, Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Planning Design & Construction

Ms. Felton has over 20 years in the design and construction industry in the U.S. and internationally. She is a Deputy Director in the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Planning Design and Construction, where she leads Planning and Program Management.  She is responsible for Smithsonian’s annual capital construction and revitalization program of over $250 Million. Her division’s responsibilities include project management, master planning, and historic preservation. Current efforts include planning the Smithsonian’s two newest museums: the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino.

Whitney McGuire, Associate Director of Sustainability, Guggenheim Museum

Whitney McGuire has a vast depth of experience in the field as a sustainability strategist and a consultant with a focus on communities most impacted by environmental and social degradation due to the climate crisis. She co-founded Sustainable Brooklyn, an organization dedicated to creating equity in the sustainability movement. In addition to this work, Whitney is an attorney, focusing on fashion law.  Whitney is also a professor at Parsons School of Design and Glasgow-Caledonian University where she teaches undergraduate and masters level courses pertaining to business law, systems design and sustainable fashion.

Trevor Tyrrell, Sr. Director of Operations, Guggenheim Museum

Trevor Tyrrell joined the Guggenheim Museum as a Visitor Assistant in 2000 during the Nam June Paik exhibition. He has enjoyed a variety of roles within the Visitor Experience department, focusing on strategy and operations as well as audience engagement. In his current role of Senior Director, Museum Operations, Trevor oversees all frontline operations of the museum, including Facilities, Security, Visitor Experience, Box Office, Group Sales and the Theater. He also serves as a co-chair on the museum’s sustainability committee, and he led the organization’s reopening effort following the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. Trevor holds a BFA in Linguistics from Boston University, which he earned with honors in 1999.

The statements and opinions expressed by panelists, hosts, attendees, or other participants of this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of, nor are endorsed by, the American Alliance of Museums.