Facilities Operations

ENERGY STAR Partner: The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields became the first fine art museum recognized by the government, achieving ENERGY STAR certification, for its efforts to become more environmentally responsible.

Lighting Efficiency: Newfields partnered with Sylvania Lighting Services to improve lighting efficiency throughout the IMA at Newfields. Standard bulbs were replaced with more energy-efficient bulbs. Motion activated lights were also installed. This reduced energy usage in these areas by 24%.

Newfields was awarded a 2010 Indiana Department of Energy (IDOE) grant to convert the existing lamps in the parking garage.

Through AES Indiana’s (formerly Indianapolis Power & Light) Midstream LED program and a National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grant, Newfields embarked on a campus-wide conversion of all existing incandescent and fluorescent lamps to LED lamps.  In the museum galleries this conversion will safeguard the collection, eliminating ultraviolet emissions from lamps and improving color perception and clarity.

Energy Reduction: Newfields uses a data-based approach to reducing its energy usage. Newfields plans to replace boilers in the central plant with more energy efficient models that are adaptable to reduction in demand, allowing for a decrease in our overall gas usage. 

Lutron lighting controls: Newfields also uses a lighting control system called Lutron. Lutron gives us the ability to add occupancy sensors to areas with limited traffic. It also allows us to add daylight harvesting in areas with natural light, allowing the space to dim to a set level automatically.

Pest Management: Newfields utilizes an integrated pest management system, which lessens the dependence on harmful chemicals.

Seeing Colors in a New Light

Robert Irwin (American, 1928–2023), Light and Space III, 2008, fluorescent lights, 831 x 680 x 162 in. (installed). Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Purchased with funds provided by Ann M. Stack, The Ballard Fund, Nancy Foxwell Neuberger Acquisition Endowment Fund, Anonymous IV Art Fund, Lucille Stewart Endowed Art Fund, Martha M. Shertzer Art Purchase Fund in Memory of Her Nephew, Charles S. Sands, Roger G. Wolcott Fund, Gift of the Alliance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Frank Curtis Springer & Irving Moxley Springer Purchase Fund, E. Hardey Adriance Fine Arts Acquisition Fund in memory of Marguerite Hardey Adriance, Emma Harter Sweetser Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crane Fund, Elizabeth S. Lawton Fine Art Fund, Cecil F. Head Art Fund, Mary V. Black Art Endowment Fund, General Endowed Art Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore P. Van Vorhees Art Fund, General Memorial Art Fund, General Art Fund, James V. Sweetser Fund, 2008.358. © 2024 Robert Irwin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Frederick Wilson (American, 1858–1932), Tiffany Studios (American), manufacturer, Angel of the Resurrection, 1903–1904, stained glass, lead, 348 × 168 × 4 in. Indianapolis Museum of Art, Gift of the First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, 72.75.