Metropolitan Museum of Art to Upgrade LED Lighting with City Funds

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is set to undergo a significant $25 million upgrade to its LED lighting system, funded by taxpayers.

New York City has been handling utility expenses for the museum for about 150 years, part of a unique relationship with several cultural institutions like the Bronx Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History. Officials have pointed this out as a long-standing partnership.

This renowned museum, which operates privately and has an impressive $3 billion endowment, will be installing nearly 20,000 modern and energy-efficient LED fixtures in its 324 galleries.

The new lighting aims to enhance the visibility and preservation of its extensive art collection while also improving energy efficiency and reducing ongoing costs, as noted in the museum’s announcement.

The New York Power Authority will manage the installation, replacing 16 lighting control systems over an expansive 2 million square feet at the museum. It’s quite a massive undertaking, expected to wrap up by 2028. The funding will come from the Department of Administrative Services using city capital funds.

“Investing in energy efficiency is essential for a sustainable and resilient New York City,” commented DCAS Director Luis A. Molina. He added that these upgrades will not only help protect valuable art pieces but also align with the city’s decarbonization efforts. It really showcases the potential of collaboration for a greener future.

Similar energy efficiency improvements have also been recently announced for other sites, like the Bronx Zoo and the Bronx Museum of Art.

This initiative is part of a broader city strategy aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions from government actions by 50% by 2030, following the climate policy established by Local Law No. 97 of 2019.

The newer LED systems will aid in art preservation since they produce less heat compared to current lighting solutions.

Interestingly, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s efforts in this context are likened to removing over 400 cars from the roads in terms of reduced emissions.

Max Hollein, Director and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, expressed gratitude for the support from DCAS and NYPA. He emphasized how this project aligns with the museum’s commitment to sustainability while also enhancing its mission to connect with the public.

Previous investments from DCAS across 36 projects have reportedly saved the museum around $2.67 million annually in energy costs, which is quite significant.