The Music Hall is committed to a healthy planet for future generations. We take a broad view of sustainability—incorporating our philosophy into day-to-day practices, renovations, programming, and our business model. We believe our sustainability actions will not only create a stronger organization but also foster sustainability in our home city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and the Seacoast region. It is our intention to model leadership in sustainability through wise management and enlightened stewardship.

GREEN RENOVATIONS

The Loft: We recycled an old building, incorporating state-of-the-art energy-efficient HVAC, doors, and windows.

The Historic Theater: We are preserving an older building, making it as green as possible within the antique footprint with high-efficiency boilers, energy recovery systems, state-of-the-art LED lighting, vestibules for temperature control, and low-flow commercial toilets and no flow urinals. Future rehabilitation will keep to this model as we maintain our historic status.

Chestnut Streetscape: In addition to the safety and accessibility improvements to Chestnut Street, we partnered with the City of Portsmouth to include more greenery to this downtown area. 

GREEN PROGRAMMING

In addition to making green changes to our buildings and practices, we bring films and thought-leaders around green practices and environmental concerns to our programming. In the past, topics have covered food waste, factory farming, clean water, and more. The Music Hall is committed to a sustainable community by preserving civil discourse—providing a place to gather and to present, hear, and discuss different points of view. To find upcoming programming on this topic, see our Innovation + Leadership series. 

GREEN PRACTICES

Composting: In working with Mr. Fox Composting, we now are composting all cups, lids, straws, and popcorn containers.

As a green alternative to bottled water, we’ve invested in a Bluedrop water fountain system, which provides filtered, crystal-clear water on draught—we have eliminated the use of 22,000 single-use plastic bottles a year!

All drinks from Concessions come in either a compostable or reuseable cup, sponsored by our friends Revision Energy and the Atlantic Grill Restaurant. 

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL

The opening of the Loft made the business of The Music Hall more sustainable, providing ownership of office and educational space, a new diversity of revenue streams, and maximum operational efficiency for The Music Hall to meet its mission in the community. Loft programming works in concert with the larger historic theater, presenting high-quality programs and films that draw smaller audiences.

SUSTAINABLE PORTSMOUTH

Portsmouth is a vibrant, coastal New England city that honors its colorful maritime and mercantile past and is passionately engaged in shaping its future. Its working seaport, unique locally-owned shops and restaurants, and world-class arts and culture appeal to visitors year-round. The healthy environment of this walkable regional capital provides the catalyst for residents and visitors to enjoy a unique urban experience within a sustainable and progressive business environment.

The Music Hall works in concert with the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce on its Destination Portsmouth efforts.  Our goal is to protect and enhance our distinctive city and foster the well-being of residents through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship of the environment, culture, aesthetics, and heritage.