On the 22nd January 2025, Colman McCarthy, from the Clean Technology Centre, Munster Technological University met with Professor Fiona Kearney, director of the Glucksman Gallery in University College Cork. The aim of the visit was to enhance learning around its’ sustainability practices which would inform the analysis of the sustainability of archive buildings included in the SAGA project.
About the Glucksman Gallery
The Gallery is located on the banks of the River Lee in the grounds of University College Cork. Glucksman management works closely with the UCC Buildings and Estates team on sustainability initiatives within the university.
UCC was the first University in the world to be awarded the Green Flag by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the first University to achieve ISO 50001 accreditation. Professor Kearney is on the Board of Cork Chamber where she brings her experiences from UCC assisting the Chamber on climate change initiatives.
The Glucksman monitors the number of visitors entering using an automated counter. Occasionally the gallery exhibits sensitive works that require environmental control in a narrow band of temperature and humidity, specified by the lending organisation.
When this is the case, the doors to the gallery are closed, but patrons are allowed to enter and exit; and the temperature and humidity are monitored and recorded. The works on display are also temperature and humidity controlled during transit.
Energy Management at the Glucksman
The building’s energy performance is monitored by UCC Buildings and Estates. The UCC Environmental Policy is on display in the foyer of The Glucksman
The gallery is also aware of the energy associated with digital content creation, storage and dissemination. Minimum image file sizes are used where possible (while maintaining the original images) on the website and in displays https://www.glucksman.org/
Information of Special Interest to SAGA project
Gallery Climate Coalition
The Glucksman is a member of the Gallery Climate Coalition which was founded in UK, and addresses climate issues at https://galleryclimatecoalition.org
The Museum Standards Programme for Ireland sections on standards of care that might also be relevant to pest control and temperature/humidity management.
https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/projects/museum-standards-programme-for-ireland
O’Donnell & Tuomey Architects
The Glucksman was designed by O’Donnell & Tuomey Architects. https://odonnell-tuomey.ie/glucksman-gallery. Information on their buildings, awards for sustainability
UCC Boole collection
Cronan O’Doibhlin is Head of Special Collections with responsibility for art and archival materials that need to be stored to the highest standards. Access UCC special collections and archives here https://libguides.ucc.ie/special_collections_and_archives?menu
National Archives
Recommended National Architecture Archive https://irisharchitecturalarchive.ie/ and the National Archive https://www.nationalarchives.ie/