MEA Exhibit
- For Immediate Release
- April 6, 2011
- Contacts: Frances Avendaño, 301.405.2384 or favendan@umd.edu
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART ENERGY EXHIBIT EDUCATES AND INSPIRES MARYLANDERS TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND LIVE SUSTAINABLY
Interactive energy-saving mobile information station comes to the University of Maryland, visualizing the Maryland Energy Administration's EmPOWER Maryland Clean Energy Program goal of reducing state-wide energy consumption by 15% by 2015.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. –– The exhibit, EmPower Maryland: You Owe it To Yourself, is on display at the Clark School of Engineering in the Innovation Hall of Fame on the first floor of the Kim Building until April 15th. It is a product of a year and a half partnership between the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and the Center for Design Practice (CDP) at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).
The mobile display outlines "15 things that will empower you" to empower Maryland, drawing connections between saving money at home by reducing power consumption and contributing to smart growth. MEA and MICA pulled together practical energy-saving tips and facts such as using cold water in washing machines to save energy (up to $63 a year), and utilizing detergents formulated for cold water that "get clothes just as clean."
The MEA EmPOWERing Maryland Clean Energy Program promotes affordable, reliable and clean energy using funds from the federal American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF). As part of Governor's O'Malley "Smart, Green and Growing" initiative, and goal of a 15% reduction in state's energy consumption by 2015, these programs will help reduce household bills, create new green collar jobs, address global climate change, and promote energy independence.
The artistic modular 10" x 10" translucent box made with eco-resin–an eco-friendly, recycled material–encourages participation in calculating personal savings related to energy-efficient behavioral changes by 2015, and to live more sustainable lives. Not only does the project educate the public on best practices, but it is also a valuable data resource for the MEA as it assesses and develops new energy programs.
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About the Maryland Institute College of Art
Founded in 1826, MICA is among the top visual arts colleges in the nation. It enrolls 1,752 undergraduate and 206 graduate students from 46 states and 54 foreign countries, offering programs of study leading to the bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.), master of arts (M.A.), and master of fine arts (M.F.A.) degrees. MICA's outstanding graduate programs were ranked in the top 4 of 220 programs in U.S. News & World Report's 2008-2010 Best Graduate Schools Edition and first nationally among specialty schools as a producer of Fulbright Scholars in an analysis by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The College also offers post-baccalaureate certificate programs and a full slate of credit and noncredit courses for adults, college-bound students, and children. MICA is recognized as an important cultural resource for the Baltimore/Washington region, sponsoring many public and community-outreach programs–including more than 100 exhibitions by students, faculty, and nationally and internationally known artists annually–as well as artists' residencies, film series, lectures, readings, and performances.
Image captions
The EmPOWER MARYLAND, You Owe It to Yourself booth is on display at the University of Maryland's first floor of the Kim Building during a state-wide eight college tour, which began at MICA last September.