LOS ANGELES, CA.- Today, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles announced plans to become the first fully solar-powered art museum and has partnered with Kickstarter Arts to launch a crowdsourcing campaign that will cover upfront capital costs.

ICA LA’s Kickstarter fundraising goal is $25,000, which supports the installation of 206 solar panels and 6 inverters over the museum’s 12,000 square feet of rooftop space. This will produce 100,000 kWh of power annually, allowing the museum to remove itself completely from the Los Angeles Grid. The project’s total cost is estimated at $156,000, but much of this will be offset by a one-time a rebate from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the $30,000 per annum that the museum is projected to save in utility costs once the installation is complete.

“Art museums are uniquely positioned to broaden the cultural conversation and explore the most pressing issues of our time—including climate change,” Elsa Longhauser, The Good Works Executive Director said. “By undertaking this major initiative, ICA LA affirms its commitment to reducing its own carbon footprint and ensuring a legacy of presenting groundbreaking exhibitions and programs in a sustainable manner for future generations.”

“Our audience counts on us to uphold the wellbeing of our community,” Deputy Director Samuel Vasquez said, “and once we looked at the numbers and saw that it was possible to go solar, we felt obligated to make the change. It will not be easy and there will be a large cost, but we feel it is our duty as a civic leader and advocate for social progress.”

ICA LA’s new solar powered infrastructure marks a major step in the organization’s ongoing process of instituting green technology and sustainable practices across all areas of its operations. Accordingly, its Kickstarter campaign rewards are designed to be experience-forward and carbon neutral, including the opportunity to name solar panels and participate in the Adopt-A-Day program at the museum. ICA LA will continue to announce new rewards throughout the 30-day campaign period. All donations are tax-deductible.