Natural World Museum facts for kids
The Natural World Museum (NWM) was a special museum that moved around. It was based in San Francisco, California. This museum used art to help people care about the environment. It wanted to inspire them to take action for our planet.
Contents
Art for a Greener Planet
The Natural World Museum worked closely with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Together, they showed art exhibitions every year for World Environment Day. This was part of their "Art for the Environment" project.
Exhibitions Around the World
The NWM created art shows that looked at environmental topics in new ways. These topics included creating green cities, stopping desertification (when land turns into desert), and understanding global climate change. The shows featured both new and well-known artists. They were held in famous places like the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.
Art That Inspires Change
The Natural World Museum was important because it asked artists to create new environmental art pieces.
The "Ark" Installation
For the 2007 World Environment Day show, called Envisioning Change: Melting Ice / A Hot Topic, the NWM asked Alfio Bonnano to create a special outdoor art piece. It was named "Ark" and showed a boat balanced in the treetops. This artwork was a symbol of how global warming affects our world.
Books and Learning
In 2007, the NWM published a book titled Art in Action: Nature, Creativity, and Our Collective Future. The book had an introduction by Achim Steiner, who was a director at the United Nations Environment Programme. It also featured artworks by famous artists like Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Joseph Beuys, Ed Burtynsky, Ken Rinaldo, and Cai Guo-Qiang.
Planet Art Program
As part of its learning programs, the NWM ran the "Planet Art" program. Hundreds of children and young people from all over the world took part. The goal of this program was to teach young people about the environment. It helped them become future protectors of our Earth.
Talks and Discussions
The NWM also held ongoing talks and an annual international meeting. These events brought together people from the worlds of art, science, and the environment. Famous guest speakers included Al Gore, Ernest Callenbach, Hunter Lovins, Joanna Macy, Daryl Hannah, and Wangari Maathai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
Museum History
Mia Hanak was the first Executive Director of the Natural World Museum. She led the museum from 2001 to 2008. In May 2009, the NWM officially closed its doors and is no longer operating as a museum.
