Climate Museum facts for kids
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| Established | July 2015 |
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The Climate Museum is a special place in New York City. It's the first museum in the United States focused on climate change. Climate change is a big shift in Earth's weather patterns. The museum helps people understand this important topic. It also shows ways we can find solutions.
The museum's main goal is to get people excited about helping the planet. They do this through art, science, and fun activities. They want to help everyone learn more and work together. The Climate Museum offers free shows, art displays, and programs for young people. These events happen in different places around New York City. They also have a special exhibit on Governors Island during certain times of the year. You can also join their events online.
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How the Climate Museum Started
The idea for the Climate Museum came after a very strong storm called Superstorm Sandy. This storm hit New York City in 2012. The museum's founder, Miranda Massie, saw how climate change affected people. She had worked to protect people's rights. This made her think about climate change as a problem that needs everyone's help.
In March 2014, the Climate Museum Project began. In July 2015, the state government of New York officially approved the museum. This approval is called a charter. By February 2016, the museum became a nonprofit organization. This means it's a group that works for a good cause, not to make money.
The Climate Museum is part of a group called the Museums and Climate Change Working Group. This group includes museums from all over the world. They all work to include climate change topics in their exhibits and programs.
A Permanent Home in New York City
The Climate Museum announced exciting news in January 2025. They found a permanent home in Hudson Yards, a neighborhood in Manhattan. This new building will be very large, about 24,000 square feet.
Construction on the new museum building will start in 2026. The museum plans to open its doors to everyone in 2029. Miranda Massie, the founder, said this new space will make climate science easier to understand. She hopes it will encourage visitors to take action for the environment.
Cool Exhibitions and Art
The Climate Museum has shown many interesting exhibits and art projects. These projects help people think about climate change in new ways.
Early Exhibitions
- In Human Time: This was the museum's first exhibit. It was shown from December 2017 to February 2018. It explored how polar ice, people, and time are connected. Artists Zaria Forman and Peggy Weil created the art for this show.
- Climate Signals: In September 2018, the museum put up a citywide art display. It was made by artist Justin Brice Guariglia. Ten solar-powered highway signs were placed in New York City parks. These signs flashed messages about climate change in five different languages.
Governors Island Shows
The museum has often used a temporary space on Governors Island.
- In Fall 2018, they had an exhibit called Climate Changers of New York. This show featured portraits by David Noles. Visitors could also create their own digital "Climate Signal."
- In 2019, the Taking Action exhibit was on Governors Island. It talked about clean energy and how to switch to a carbon-free world. It also gave ideas for how visitors could help solve climate problems together.
Recent Art Projects
- Low Relief for High Water: In Fall 2021, artist Gabriela Salazar created a sculpture and performance at Washington Square Park. It was a one-day event. A film was also made about this project.
- Beyond Lies: Also in Fall 2021, the museum launched a poster campaign. These posters talked about the fossil fuel industry. Illustrator Mona Chalabi designed them. The posters had a QR code that showed steps for people to contact their Congressional representatives. This campaign ran until March 2022.
- Soho Pop-Up: In October 2022, the museum opened a temporary space in Soho, Manhattan. It stayed open until March 2023. This exhibit included new art by David Opdyke. It also shared research about how people think about climate change. Visitors could find ways to take action.
- The End of Fossil Fuel: In October 2023, another pop-up exhibit opened in Soho. This show focused on how climate justice relates to the fossil fuel industry. It featured a mural by R. Gregory Christie. The exhibit also looked at "sacrifice zones." These are places that are badly affected by pollution, often impacting certain communities more than others.
Programs for Young People
The Climate Museum believes in helping young people get involved. They have several programs just for kids and teens.
Climate Speaks
From March to June 2019, the museum worked with the NYC Department of Education. They created a spoken word program called Climate Speaks for high school students. The program ended with a big performance at the famous Apollo Theater.
Climate Art for Congress
In April 2020, the Climate Art for Congress project began. This program invited students from kindergarten to 12th grade across the United States. They created art, wrote, and learned about civics. The students then sent their illustrated notes about climate concerns to their representatives in Congress.
Climate Action Leadership Program
In the summer of 2021, the Climate Action Leadership Program started. Students, mostly from the New York area, joined workshops. They also had chances to intern and volunteer at the museum. They worked with other organizations that are partners with the museum.
See also
- Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, a museum about climate change in Hong Kong.
