KENT, OH.- The Kent State University Museum has received an award from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation to fund a comprehensive energy audit of its historic 1928 building, Rockwell Hall. The audit will evaluate the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and provide recommendations for sustainable facility improvements.

This grant is part of the Frankenthaler Foundation’s broader Frankenthaler Climate Initiative (FCI) supporting energy efficiency and clean energy adoption at arts institutions nationwide. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has significantly expanded its impact in helping museums and cultural organizations invest in long-term infrastructure solutions.

“This grant will allow the Kent State University Museum to secure an energy audit of our historic 1928 building, helping to identify improvements that will enhance energy efficiency, optimize resources and strengthen our future,” said Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D., director of the Kent State University Museum.

An energy audit is a crucial step toward building a more sustainable future for the Kent State University Museum, which houses a world-class collection of more than 30,000 objects of fashion, textile and design. The findings will help the museum preserve its collection and continue serving the university and broader public well into the future.

“We’re proud to support the Kent State University Museum in taking this essential step toward a more energy-efficient and sustainable future,” said James Merle Thomas, Ph.D., deputy director of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. “An audit of a historic building like this helps lay the groundwork for smart, long-term planning. It’s exciting to see cultural institutions leading with intention and investing in the kinds of infrastructure improvements that will strengthen their operations for years to come.”

The project will be led by Doug Pearson, Ph.D., associate vice president for facilities planning and operations at Kent State, who oversees strategic planning, capital prioritization and stewardship of the university’s physical assets. Pearson will collaborate with Cleveland-based Johnson Controls, a global leader in smart building solutions.

“This audit is an important step in exploring how we can address the museum’s long-term needs,” Pearson said. “We’re pleased to be part of a process that helps lay the groundwork for thoughtful, sustainable improvements.”