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The 91�ֿ� 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  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 91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ� Museum. 

An energy audit is a crucial step toward building a more sustainable future for the 91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ� 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 91�ֿ�, 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.” 

91�ֿ� the 91�ֿ� Museum 

The 91�ֿ� Museum holds one of the world’s most important collections of fashion, textile and decorative arts, spanning the mid-1700s through the present day. With a historic collection of more than 30,000 objects and seven gallery spaces, the museum provides invaluable first-hand experiences for both the university community and the broader public. It is recognized regionally and nationally for the depth and scope of its collection. For more information, please call 330-672-3450, follow @ksumuseum on Instagram or visit www.kent.edu/museum. 

91�ֿ� the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation 

Established and endowed by Helen Frankenthaler during her lifetime, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation advances the artist’s legacy and inspires a new generation of practitioners through a range of philanthropic, educational and research initiatives. Since becoming active in 2013, the foundation has continued to strategically expand its program, which includes organizing and supporting significant exhibitions of the artist’s work, fostering new research and publications, advancing educational programs in partnership with arts organizations around the world and launching groundbreaking initiatives that foster systemic change in the field.