The New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA) is acknowledged as the oldest museum in the country dedicated exclusively to the collection and exhibition of American art. It boasts a renowned collection spanning four centuries. Notable strengths include colonial portraiture, the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, and the Ash Can School. Its mission is to be one of the nation’s most welcoming, distinguished, dynamic, and educationally ambitious art museums by ensuring its facilities, collections, exhibitions, and programs create optimal conditions for first-hand experiences with art for a diverse audience.

The NBMAA comprises three connected buildings: the historic Landers House, the 2005 Chase Family Building, and the 2015 Art & Education Expansion. As the Chase Family Building is approaching its twenty-year anniversary, its systems, including the roof and roof warranty and reaching its end-of-life. NBMAA is exploring the installation of solar as its plans ahead for a 2027 replacement. The building is the largest portion of campus at 43,000 sq. ft. with the most roof surface for potential solar installation. FCI Scoping funding will support implementation of a comprehensive assessment, led by independent and appropriate consultants, to identify key areas where we can reduce our emissions footprint. This assessment will help us develop a roadmap for implementing energy-efficient practices and sustainable solutions throughout our operations. In particular, the Museum will explore the potential of installing solar to the roof’s largest surface.

FCI funded a Technical Assistance grant in 2021 to support the engineering needed for replacement of its existing humidifier systems.The equipment was installed prior to a 2006 expansion; in addition to ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure its effectiveness, replacement of the systems was needed to avoid expenses and also optimize energy efficiency. Engineering helped determine whether an ultrasonic or electric steam system was optimal for the environment. A 2022 FCI Implementation grant then supported the replacement of the humidification systems with high-functioning, energy efficient system which resulted in a retrofit of existing air handlers with four MeeFog High Pressure Water Atomizing units that operated a minimal energy output to ensure a safe climate within the museum.