Museums and galleries build their reputations on their collections’ quality and quantity. Yet floor space can be limited. Mobile art racks offer an efficient, cost-effective way to improve organization and access while protecting and preserving the collection and gaining space.
Determining the amount of space needed for museum or gallery storage is often daunting. When a collection outgrows its storage space, with artifacts stored haphazardly in cabinets or even on floors.
Ideal art storage systems provide easy access to all artworks or artifacts, allow for the safe movement of collection items, and protect your museum's collection, all while enabling efficient workflow for employees. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a storage layout that works for both your collection and your people, without sacrificing access and preservation.
Advantages of Art Storage Systems
Featuring double-sided mesh screens flush to the art rack frame, our art storage systems provide added capacity and let you preserve precious floor space. Floor-mounted systems offer limitless hanging arrangement options to store the same number of items as conventional pull-out racks in almost half the space. The wheel sections on the mobile bases (which are equipped with in-rail anti-tip devices) can also be nested to further maximize storage density.
A high-density mobile system can eliminate wasted aisles and space while compressing the storage into a more compact footprint. These systems allow for complete access to each piece of art, with each artwork stored face-out for superior organization. Reclaim room in your storage area for collaborative or work space, or even a behind-the-scenes restoration or conservation exhibit.
The Filson Historical Society, celebrating the history of Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley, built a new museum in 2016 with high-density compact museum shelving on four of its five floors. “Once the new shelving went in, we were able to zone everything the way we wanted it,” said Curator of Collections Jim Holmberg. “Having a blank slate with all that empty shelving has really helped us do some nice organization.”
While unique architecture, such as the bathtub-shaped Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam or the random curves of the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, can contribute to a museum's "wow" factor, it can also create unique storage challenges. Art storage systems can adapt to even the oddest angles, or accommodate building features that would otherwise create obstacles in storing your collection.
Mobile art racks are also a good fit with other modular art storage pieces as needs change and expand. When the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at the Ohio State University in Columbus expanded from 6,000 sq. ft. To 30,0000 sq. ft. It incorporated mobile storage with cantilever and 4-post shelving, modular drawers, customized pull-out art displays, and Mayline plan files.
“I am unabashedly biased, but I think it’s a wonderful place,” Assistant Curator Susan Liberator said of the newly renovated space.
Ideal art storage systems don't just preserve artworks, they also keep your people safe. Each wheel section in our lateral art rack systems comes with in-rail, anti-tip technology, ensuring the safety of preservationists and other museum employees. This storage system is space-efficient, as well as safe and easy to use.
When the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum needed additional storage for their artworks, they turned to Patterson Pope's art storage systems for a solution. Much of their collection was already stored on 44 lateral art racks, but the museum needed 16 more to expand its collection. The new racks allowed the museum to create an added showpiece for both visitors and potential donors - allowing for safe and easy operation.
Our art storage systems are made from durable steel, and built for longevity. Whether it's a high-density mobile art rack, or a pivot or ceiling-supported pullout art rack, these systems are built to last, all the while protecting framed art and artifacts.
The Delta Flight Museum hosts a variety of artifacts, from uniforms to model airplanes to paper archives - some of which date back to the company's founding in the 1940s. But, as their collection began to outpace their storage footprint, they needed a durable, lasting solution that could preserve their vast collection while also saving space.
"We had some older wide-span shelving that needed to be replaced," said Archives Associate Tina Seetoo, "along with wardrobe cabinets that were not equal to the task at hand. The answer was a combination of high-density storage, art racks, drawers, and traditional cantilever shelving (for their archives.)
Key Takeaway
With art storage systems reclaiming your space, flexibly preserving your collection, and keeping it safe in a built-to-last, cost-effective way, we're surprised there isn't a museum just for art racks! But while we're waiting for that, your visitors can keep coming back to see the newest additions to your collections as well as previous works both stored and restored.
Our art storage solutions can be tailor-made to your specific needs and available space. To learn more, contact a Patterson Pope expert today!
