Kumu Art Museum – the first Estonian museum to receive a green museum certificate
Text Timo Huttunen
Photo Andrei Chertkov
Kumu Art museum has been awarded a green museum certificate by the Estonian Environmental Management Association (Eesti Keskkonnajuhtimise Assotsiatsioon). The “green museum” system helps museums assess and reduce their environmental impact and operate in a more environmentally sustainable manner.
“We are pleased to say that Kumu, Estonia’s largest art museum, has decided to be a pioneer in environmental issues and reduce its environmental footprint,” says Harri Moora, a senior expert at the Stockholm Environmental Institute.
The “Green Museum” system covers all museum activities: the management of the museum building and collections, the management of environmental measures, the involvement of staff and stakeholders in environmental protection, and the environmental activities of exhibitions, events and museum education. The “Green Museum” system can be implemented by all museums, regardless of their size or theme.
“Kumu is the largest art museum in Estonia. The museum also has the busiest activity schedule. Kumu organizes 15 exhibitions every year and receives more than 100,000 visitors. We want to make sure that we work as environmentally friendly as possible in the use of exhibition materials, the implementation of training programs and in our daily work with curators and artists. Kumu’s activities can also serve as a model for other Estonian museums,” says Kadi Polli, the director of the art museum.
