SAN ANTONIO, TX.- Artpace San Antonio announced that it has received a $100,000 grant award through the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative, a grant-making program established by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation in collaboration with Environment & Culture Partners and RMI to catalyze climate action in the visual arts.
The provided funds will be used to install solar panels on the renovated rooftop of the Artpace building. The installation of solar panels is part of a more extensive rooftop renovation that will create an event space for a greatly expanded schedule of contemporary arts programming and additional venue for building rentals. While the rooftop renovation and structure will provide weather protection and shade for a significant portion of the rooftop, feature state-of-the-art design, and bring a modern architectural element to the building, it is also an opportunity for Artpace to add energy efficiencies to the building and further decrease the organization's environmental footprint.
The proposed rooftop shade structure will be an elegant example of an adaptive design that provides a comfortable environment even in the warmer months. Designed by Lake Flato Architects, who led the first Artpace building renovation with Linda Pace in 1994, the planned renovation will integrate seamlessly into the existing building and enhance the organizational design. Artpace is partnering with Texas-owned Big Sun Solar for the solar power management system, which will be integrated into the rooftop design. The combined effect will be a beautiful, functional, and energy-efficient space that works seamlessly with Artpace's existing facility, organizational needs, and goals.
Adding solar panels will reduce Artpace’s energy bill by $9,775, with a 25-years savings of $308,187. Artpace will offset an estimated 75.9 metric tons of carbon annually. Over 25 years, 1,766 metric tons of carbon will be canceled, significantly reducing Artpace's environmental footprint. Each year Artpace uses approximately 201,733 (kWh) of energy. With the addition of solar panels, Artpace will offset its energy use by 107,125 (kWh), over half its current usage. The addition of solar panel technology is exceptionally impactful to Artpace, given San Antonio has about 250 sunny days annually During Daylight Savings, with an average of 12 ½ hours of sunlight every day.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2022 boasted the third hottest summer on record, with 2023 gearing up to fall within the top ten warmest years on record, perhaps even the top five. Artpace is beyond thankful to have been selected for this award from the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative so that we can do our part in creating a more sustainable world.
