Posts Tagged ‘artwork storage’

Artwork Storage 101: How to Improve Art Organization

How to Improve Your Museum’s Art Storage

art storage organization shelving racksAs a gallery or museum owner, you might not always have the necessary space to display every piece in your collection. When the time comes to put artwork into short- or long-term storage, thoughtful organization is key. To reduce the likelihood of damage, it is important to know how to store art safely and which types of units are best for your unique needs.

Who Can Benefit From Art Storage?

Art and museum storage is a great option for any individual or organization specializing in the stewardship of art. Galleries in need of fine art storage and museums looking for museum storage can benefit, as well as universities, libraries, private collectors, archival facilities, art stores, and more.

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Why Is Artwork Storage a Good Investment?

Each piece of art in your collection is an irreplaceable, delicate work––and probably the result of a hefty investment! As such, it is critical to protect and securely store artwork. Proper art storage ensures that each piece lasts as long as possible so that generations to come can enjoy it.

Here are some of the reasons why you should invest in proper artwork storage:museum artwork storage carts

1. Preserve and protect your artwork.

An artist worked hard to create the work, and now you must take good care of it. Our artwork storage is specially designed to meet the special requirements of museum and fine art storage, with durable materials that keep out light, dust, and other dangers. The right unit will also protect a piece from creasing and folds.

2. Keep your inventory organized.

Artwork storage helps you manage your collections. If you manage a large gallery with numerous pieces, you need to know where each work is located. When it’s time to set up a new exhibit or show the work to a potential buyer, you need to be able to find it swiftly.

3. Save space in your storage area.

A shelving unit with room for multiple paintings will keep paintings safer and make smarter use of your floor space. In addition, proper artwork storage can save space in your storage area––and potentially reduce costs if you’re able to downsize your storage facility.

How To Store Artwork Safely

Proper art storage requires a specific set of conditions. Fragile pieces of art need to be protected from the elements to minimize damage. If a piece is exposed to too much humidity, light, dust, or other types of conditions, it can be damaged beyond repair. You don’t want faded paintings, torn canvas, or brittle paper, which means you need to create a storage environment that protects your collections from these risks.

Types of Art Storage

works on paper storage shelvesSelecting the proper art storage unit for your collection is essential. Once you’ve established the proper conditions for artwork storage, you’ll want to select a unit that fits your needs. StoreMoreStore’s art racks and wall display panels are available in many shapes and sizes to match your storage goals.

1. Store works horizontally with flat shelving.

Flat shelving neatly stores prints, drawings, documents, and more. Works on paper shelving feature flat, open storage for works on paper. Individual shelves keep your pieces organized and orderly, while non-gassing materials protect against damage. If you prefer an option with drawers, explore our flat plan file cabinets. These units are available in a variety of dimensions, so you can find an appropriately sized unit for your needs and prevent creasing. Convenient label holders on each drawer front make it easy to stay organized.

2. Transport collections easily with framed artwork storage carts.

When you need to move your collections from one storage area to another, between restoration labs, or back to the gallery, framed artwork storage carts simplify transit. Just slide a painting or work into the individual slot, and you can roll right along to your destination. These units feature adjustable dividers that keep the painting upright and allow you to store multiple items on each cart without accidental touching or falling.

3. Organize your works with artwork shelving.flat file museum cabinets

Artwork shelving is a highly versatile storage choice for all types of framed and unframed works. These units keep art shelved and off of the ground, safe from potentially harmful light and dust. When you need to find a specific work for your next exhibit, it’s easy to scope out the correct piece among your collection, thanks to the open shelves that provide excellent visibility. The large––and often adjustable––cubbies offer plenty of room for paintings of different heights within one unit, making great use of your storage space.

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4. Display art safely with art display panels.

What’s the point of having a magnificent work in your collection if no one can see it? Art display panels can keep your art visible, even while safely in storage. You can hang pieces right onto the mesh with art hooks; no nails are required! StoreMoreStore offers both wall-mounted panels and freestanding panels so that you can show off your works in any high-traffic area.

Why Buy Art Storage From StoreMoreStore?

We believe that preserving art is essential. Since 2012, StoreMoreStore’s artwork storage solutions have helped museums, galleries, and more protect their investments and keep artworks safe. We can help your business store art safely, too! To find out how, give us a call at (855) 786-7667 or send us an email.

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Artwork Collection Storage for National State Park Museums

Park Museum Art Storage

National and state park museums commonly include rotating artwork exhibits, which require careful storage and display as any other collection. We have a variety of artwork collection storage solutions available to buy online for your convenience.

Unfortunately, most paintings are extremely delicate, and a variety of factors contribute to eventual deterioration. Proper storage and handling go a long way toward keeping paintings preserved for the long term. During storage, curators must protect artwork from multiple damaging factors such as light, pests, and improper handling. By practicing preventative conservation, curators avoid costly and time-consuming treatments.

Best Artwork Collection Storage Practices

Some best long-term artwork collection storage practices include:

  • Whether storing a high-dollar art collection or sentimental works that you’d like to display in the future, think about where to keep everything. Then, test the area’s average humidity to ensure it’s moderate. Use somewhere cool and dry that doesn’t exceed 70 degrees, rather than moist spaces.
  • Changes in temperature can cause materials to expand and contract, leading to damage and deformation. This could include wrapping, discoloration, and mold growth that take time and money to eliminate. When in doubt, dark and windowless environments provide the safest long-term preservation conditions.
  • Wipe away any unsanitary dust or dirt that could compromise the paintings’ integrity during this time. Use soft, fresh microfiber cloths rather than harsh products to clean framed work. You can spray wood or metal frames and sculptures with a quality polish, too.
  • Framed items should have cardboard corners to protect it and the structure. Then, place supportive padding such as bubble wrap around the entire work. Secure the layer in place with tape or string. To ensure items have added dust and moisture protection, wrap them in breathable material.
  • Avoid rolling unframed works such as canvas paintings. Despite being an easier and cheaper technique, experts advise against it. If rolled up too long, it could have permanent creases and cracks in the paint. Wrap these in air and water-resistant material and secure them between sturdy foam or cardboard. Then, put it in a protective bag made from breathable material to prevent deterioration due to dust and moisture damage.

Safely Position Artwork Collections

The safest way to position artwork collections during storage depends on the medium. Read on to learn the proper techniques when handling a few specific works.

  • To prevent damage, national and state park museums should place framed works in a standing position rather than one on top of the other. Pieces could collapse from the stress of their own weight if stacked.
  • Unframed works can withstand stacking, but experts recommend storing these works in a standing position too.
  • You can store small box or paper works in drawers but must check for termite and acid secretions first.

Documenting Artwork Collections

Everyone from national and state park museums to libraries, historical societies, airports, and more should document and photograph artwork collections in storage and on display. As an actual record, it serves as a good reference in an emergency or if a theft occurs. It can help streamline insurance claims if you need to file one. To simplify the process, create a spreadsheet with details about the works being stored and label everything accordingly.

Why Artwork Storage is Challenging

Artwork collection storage continues to challenge cultural centers around the world, including national and state park museums not as well known to the public. Many lack the space to store growing collections and only display about 5% of them at any time.  The rest remains hidden in areas that the public cannot access, such as off-site facilities (which cost a pretty penny to rent). Needless to say, it can often place further strain on departmental budgets.

To compensate, museums mainly store paintings by hanging them from storage screens, placing them on shelves, or stacking them vertically. It’s more affordable and increases audiences’ exposure to displayed collections. What works best for you depends on the size and environment of your storage area.

Artwork Collection Storage Applications

Made from sanitary and durable construction, the artwork collection storage can accommodate more than national and state park museums. This includes airports, historical societies, and libraries that display artists’ work. All can depend on the versatile solutions to save space while keeping displayed art organized and safe.

Save Space with Artwork Collection Storage

Users can adapt many along or right to an empty wall to maximize underused space. Some span floor to ceiling to promote better vertical space use. Another occupies the entire perimeter to ensure optimal footprint efficiency. Others fit counter-high bases that require minimal use of the floor to accommodate static cabinets with a space-saving compact design.

Sanitary wire carts have the flexibility to relocate and save space in moments. Personnel then has safe access to the area and can reuse it to accommodate other productive activities. This includes wedding receptions, concerts, family-friendly programming and more. Other contemporary options such as pull-out racks retract in and out of the aisles to provide users more versatile space savings.national state park museum art storage

Artwork Collection Storage Types

Without efficient funding to expand existing footprints, staff must find creative ways to execute proper preservation practices within the available space. You can find some affordable artwork collection storage options safe enough to use in national and state park museums online. As efficient space-saving solutions, all can organize and protect rotating exhibits from deterioration, helping increase the lifespan. Read on to learn how the budget-friendly systems stack up against one another.

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Wire Mesh Art Display Panels

Available in wall-mounted or freestanding configurations, wire mesh panels provide proper storage and easy viewing at the same time. Freestanding options allow users access to two screens with space to display more in the same footprint. It promotes better capacity efficiency while allowing patrons more visible access to collections. Systems with wall-mounting capabilities hang high off the floor to save space that facilities can reuse to accommodate more productive activities. All have a non-reactive solvent-free powder coat finish durable enough to protect pieces against environmental factors.

Configurations have a sturdy, perforated design that provides efficient and clean airflow to keep everything on display dust free. Freestanding options allow independent use to prevent interference with optional art hooks. Curators have more than enough space to organize and secure collections in the available footprint and save on storage costs.  Patrons enjoy twice the visible access to rare pieces often hidden from public view, too.

Flat File Drawer Cabinets

Prevent damage from rolling or folding and store plan drawings, graphics, maps, drafting documents, blueprints, vellum sheets, and oversized documents by storing them in flat file cabinets.  Closed compartments have no space in between one another, promoting maximum capacity usage within the available footprint. It looks cleaner and more organized while helping keep dust and more out.

Units are available with or without bases that have lower shelves to organize reference materials, helping simplify researchers’ work. Systems can accommodate optional components such as security key locks that provide efficient material tampering and theft protection. Label holders located on each drawer front help create instant organization.

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Configurations have ergonomic pull handles that allow users easier access to stored collections, helping simplify viewing. Stack systems weighing up to 2,000 lbs onto mobile bases if needing to relocate them due to limited space availability. It frees up the area to accommodate more productive activities. Personnel avoids injury while moving the heavy loads elsewhere in a more efficient timeframe and can do more during the day.

Art Till Shelving

Art tills organize framed and unframed artwork and protect them from light, pests, and deterioration. Users can stack the durable systems up to two high to maximize underused vertical space. Units include adjustable dividers flexible and durable enough to protect stored works within the footprint. Users even have the option to remove the partitions if needing to create larger compartment widths. Models have a non-reactive solvent-free powder coating that safeguards items from harmful environmental factors. Systems’ open front provides efficient airflow to keep nonactive collections clean and in mint condition.

Framed Artwork Carts

With adjustable dividers, these mobile space-saving framed artwork carts allow safe storage and transport for paintings. Flexible partitions allow users to customize the available space based on collection needs and keep everything upright to prevent damage during transit.  Units have all-welded wire shelves versatile enough to provide airflow, light penetration, and more to keep items clean and visible.  Users have comfortable access to stored collections from the rear and front, helping prevent damage and ensure safe handling during retrieval.

Handlers can move the portable storage and everything it holds in moments to save space and simplify cleanup during exhibit rotation. Then, start redesigning the area to match new art installation themes and display stuff less often seen within the same footprint. Facilities expose audiences to more collections from within the available space and avoid an expensive expansion.

Pull-Out Art Racks

artwork collection storagePull-out art racks allow you to store artwork collections while saving space with retractable panels. The easy-to-install heavy-duty art racks anchor to floor without ceiling support. Units have a linear motion design that allows panels to slide out into aisles on an independent basis, leaving others undisturbed. Curators can hang works on each side during this time to ensure better space usage. Patrons must use the convenient and ergonomic pull handles if wanting visible access to collections on display. Staff can add extra panels in the future if needing more space to store growing collections. Screens have a sturdy perforated design that allows efficient airflow to keep everything from deteriorating during storage and while on public display.

Works on Paper Shelving

Works on paper shelving accommodates Hollinger boxes, Solander cases, maps, boards, posters, and other flat works with non-gassing material that protects stored collections. Units include adjustable shelves that users can adapt vertically to ensure efficient space use while keeping everything safe and organized. You can even add hinged doors with key or electronic locks that protect works from theft, dust, and more. Stand the static configurations against an empty wall to maximize vertical space efficiency. All have an open front large enough to provide efficient airflow and preserve the stored items integrity.

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Buy Artwork Collection Storage Online

Artwork collection storage units are available to buy online with free dock-to-dock shipping included. If you need any assistance or just want some help picking the right solution for you, please call us at 1-855-786-7667.

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Artwork Display Panels Wire Mesh Screens Wall-Mounted or Freestanding

Artwork Storage & Display Panels

art display wall panelsArtwork is delicate; improper storage and display could lead to damage and loss of these beautiful pieces. Art storage techniques need to take these risks into account while providing an adequate display for viewing. Artwork display panels and wire mesh screens are available in wall-mounted or freestanding configurations to meet both of these needs. Simply hook your framed art onto the mesh panel for easy, secure, and eco-friendly display. The display panels also keep paintings lifted off the floor and prevent direct contact with walls to enhance preservation and protection from floods or other damage.

Using panels also allows you to easily rotate your collections and can be placed almost anywhere without damaging your walls. And by using a combination of wall-mounted and freestanding panels, you can utilize your floor and wall storage space most effectively. For example, you could place the wall panels side by side on an empty wall or use the freestanding units for double-sided display in less space.

Due to their durability and flexibility, the art panels are a great solution for museums, galleries, libraries, art shows, and more. Because the panels are available in a variety of sizes, you can choose a solution that fits your exact needs.

Wall-Mounted Artwork Display Panelsfreestanding artwork display panels

  • 10 gauge steel wire woven into 2″ x 1″ rectangular mesh
  • Mesh securely welded to a 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ x 1/8″ steel angle frame
  • 7/8″ x 3/4″ stiffeners welded to each panel frame (wider panels have two stiffeners)
  • Emission-free powder coat paint finish on all components
  • No off-gassing or volatile compounds ensure the protection and integrity of artwork
  • Hanging artwork hooks and wall fasteners not included

Freestanding Wire Mesh Screens

  • 16-gauge furniture grade steel 2″ wide frame with a screen on each side for double-sided display
  • 36″ high 14-gauge freestanding steel gussets
  • 16-gauge 1/2″ flat expanded steel panels
  • Non-reactive solvent-free powder coating finish electrostatically applied
  • No off-gassing of formaldehyde and organic acid
  • Manufacturer’s limited 7 year warranty

Buy Artwork Display Panels Online

Artwork display panels are available to buy online with bulk discount options and free dock-to-dock shipping. If you need any assistance or just want some help picking the right solution for you, please call us at 1-855-786-7667.

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