Natural World Museum
| Company type | Non-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Museum, Environmental art |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | May 2009 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
Key people | Mia Hanak (Founding Executive Director, 2001–2008) |
| Products | Art exhibitions, educational programs, lectures, symposiums |
The Natural World Museum (NWM), headquartered in San Francisco, California, operated as a traveling institution dedicated to promoting environmental consciousness and action through artistic expression.
In collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), NWM organized yearly art exhibitions in celebration of World Environment Day under the Art for the Environment initiative. These exhibitions presented fresh viewpoints on ecological topics such as sustainable urban development, desertification, and climate change. Showcasing both emerging talents and renowned artists, the displays were held internationally, including a notable venue at the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, Norway.
Among its commissioned environmental artworks was Alfio Bonnano’s 2007 outdoor piece titled "Ark," which represented the consequences of global warming. That same year, NWM released Art in Action: Nature, Creativity, and Our Collective Future, featuring a foreword by UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner and including contributions from artists like Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Joseph Beuys, and Cai Guo-Qiang.
The museum’s educational initiatives included the Planet Art program, designed to engage young people globally and encourage environmental responsibility. Additionally, NWM hosted lectures and an annual symposium bridging art, science, and environmental issues, with prominent speakers such as Al Gore and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
Mia Hanak held the role of Founding Executive Director between 2001 and 2008. The institution ceased operations in May 2009 and is no longer functioning.
See also
References
- Natural World Museum (2007). Art in Action: Nature, Creativity, and Our Collective Future. San Rafael: Earth Aware Editions, .