Art logistics and art storage services have long been separate entities, creating difficulties for collectors looking for comprehensive care and management of their art. A new alliance between Fine Art Shippers, a New York-based art logistics company, and Arcis, a cutting-edge art storage facility in Upper Manhattan, offers the long-awaited solution to high-end collection management. The alliance brings together all aspects of storage, handling, and transportation of art, including a museum-quality facility and a professional team of art managers, handlers, installers, and more
What Are Art Collection Management Services?
At a certain point, when an art collection becomes too large to remain at a collector’s home, its owners inevitably start to think about finding a secure storage facility. Some collectors, especially those with investment goals, prefer to arranged for a proper space for their valuables right from the start. This approach is wise not only for preservation but also for security reasons.
Photo Courtesy of Fine Art Shippers
A quality art storage facility offers not only climate-controlled and secure premises but also a suite of other services under the umbrella term “art collection management.”
These services focus on the physical aspects of caring for and managing art collections. They cater to the needs of collectors, galleries, museums, and institutions, providing a range of offerings centered on the preservation, documentation, and handling of artworks. Note, however, that this is distinct from services related to investment consulting or art market activities, emphasizing instead the tangible care of the artworks themselves.
What is Arcis?
Completed a few years ago, the five-story Arcis facility has been engineered according to the highest modern standards and requirements for art storage. It was constructed with the assistance of the same engineers who contributed to the new Whitney Museum in New York and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The size of the facility was deliberately capped at 110,000 square feet after consultations with insurance underwriters regarding the risk of accumulating high-value art in a single location. Another essential feature, aimed at providing peace of mind to underwriters and art owners alike, is Arcis’s location in Harlem, on elevated ground safe from the flood and surge zones identified after Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.
Photo Courtesy of Fine Art Shippers
Maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels is critical for the long-term stability of fine art and cultural property. Arcis maintains a temperature of 70° Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 50%, while the air in many parts of the building is refreshed three to six times per hour. The humidity control system employs a method known as “atomization,” or reverse osmosis, which involves breaking down water molecules and then distributing them throughout the building. The Arcis system is also designed to protect art against bacterial growth and mineral dust accumulation—common pitfalls in popular ultrasonic technology.
Along with state-of-the-art climate control systems, the facility offers some of the most advanced protections against fire, flood, and theft in the world. This includes early-warning smoke detection and strictly controlled and monitored access to all floors. Arcis’s backup generator, which runs on natural gas rather than diesel, can operate the entire building at full capacity in the event of an emergency. This configuration allows Arcis to switch between electric and natural gas power, a crucial feature during power outages.
Photo Courtesy of Fine Art Shippers
Last but not least, Arcis prioritizes not only safety but also the comfort of collectors and visitors. The facility boasts a thoughtfully designed reception area, private viewing rooms, and a private conference room.
Art Collection Management by Fine Art Shippers
As an art logistics provider, Fine Art Shippers offers collection management services specifically designed to meet the needs of Arcis storage clients, including private and institutional collectors (for example, Oleg Kushnirskiy’s Collection of Icons is kept here and several Dutch Old Masters), dealers, galleries, artists, and more. These services include inventory management, condition reporting, logistics coordination, art handling and installation, and viewing arrangements.
A comprehensive inventory management system is the backbone of the company’s art collection management services. This system involves detailed documentation of each artwork, including photographs, condition reports, provenance, dimensions, and other vital information, enabling efficient collection oversight and accessibility.
Another vital aspect of art collection management offered by Fine Art Shippers involves conducting regular inspections and generating condition reports. These activities are crucial for identifying potential conservation needs early on, thereby facilitating preventive care.
For artworks requiring transportation to or from the facility, the company provides comprehensive logistics services and coordination. This includes domestic and international shipping, art handling, customs clearance, arranging insurance for the art, and installation at its final destination. Transportation is carried out in climate-controlled air-ride trucks equipped with 24/7 video surveillance, GPS tracking, and an alarm system by Babaco, a leader in logistics security.
The professional art handling and installation services guarantee the safe transport, mounting, and display of artworks. They encompass expert techniques in framing, lighting, and installation to enhance the presentation of the artworks while prioritizing their preservation.
Additionally, art collection management services extend to organizing private viewings. This enables collectors or interested parties to view stored artworks in suitable settings. These viewings are conducted in Arcis’s secure viewing rooms, which are equipped with professional museum-level fixtures and lighting, ensuring the artworks are presented in the best possible way.
The role of art collection management services in preserving and safeguarding art collections cannot be overstated. The partnership between Fine Art Shippers and Arcis provides a holistic solution that addresses all aspects of art care, catering to the needs of collectors, institutions, and artists alike.