The Green Museum

The KunstHausWien, Austria's first green museum to be awarded the eco-label, sees itself as much more than just an exhibition venue for art. It is an active driving force for social responsibility, where art, environmental awareness and social commitment come together. Sustainability is not just a buzzword here, but a lived practice - in museum operations, exhibitions, tours and workshops.

In collaborations such as ‘10 Museums x 17 SDGs’, the museum makes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals tangible: from social justice and responsible consumption to climate protection. Visitors of all ages can experience how art and sustainability work together - whether through interactive exhibitions, practical workshops or information via the museum's communication channels. Reusable materials, short transport routes and Green Event-certified events show that responsibility is not only communicated here, but practised on a daily basis. In this way, the KunstHausWien inspires active, sustainable behaviour.

KunstHausWien may be the first green museum in Austria, but it is by no means the only one that is committed to greater sustainability in the art world and in the world in general. For example, we are part of the 10 Museums x 17 SDGs project - ten Viennese museums that address the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations in their work. These sustainability goals, which were set in 2015, are intended to contribute to social change and help to eradicate poverty, promote gender equality and combat climate change by 2030, among other things. Together with the other participating museums, we are therefore committed to responsible consumption and sustainable growth - for a world that is worth living in for everyone.

Museums as catalysts

As catalysts, we play a key role in social change because we can make complex interrelationships visible and inspire new ways of thinking. The aim of 10 Museums x 17 SDGs is to help raise awareness among visitors through targeted communication and events. We want to make people aware that protecting our climate increases the chance of a better quality of life for all and promotes the strengthening of social justice. Artists and museum staff are the ambassadors for this - via social media channels, websites and workshops. Educational work for a wide range of age groups is at the centre of our projects in order to encourage sustainable thinking and action.

Formats at KunstHausWien

At KunstHausWien, we offer our visitors educational programmes on sustainable living in cities and communities, among other things. Our focus is on informative formats such as our herbal workshop and the edible city walk. But also discourse formats such as the Future Talks and initiatives for greening urban spaces. Our Grätzloase in front of the museum is a good example of this. Just drop by and take a look.

Sustainable museum operations

10 Museums x 17 SDGs is a project of ICOM Austria (International Council of Museums), the Austrian National Committee of the International Council of Museums, in cooperation with the Office for Transfer, a cultural initiative by Doris Rothauer, and with the support of the BMWKMS (Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport). Our participation in 10 Museums x 17 SDGs is a further step for us in our endeavours to make museum operations even more sustainable. What began with our founder Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the exceptional artist and environmental activist, we are continuing today as the Green Museum.

If you are interested in more information about the project, read more here
10 Museums x 17 SDGs is an initiative of ICOM Austria and OekoBusiness Vienna.