A reliable fine art storage facility should offer climate-controlled units. This will protect your artwork from environmental damage, such as mold, rust, and rot. Does your collection need to be brought in and out of storage regularly? If so, a centrally located art storage warehouse is ideal.
Access
Unlike regular storage, fine art storage facilities in NYC are designed specifically for fine art and maintain specific environmental controls. An excellent way to ensure you have the best facility for your collection is to ask whether insurance carriers approve them. Your insurance broker will know which facilities have been vetted and can recommend those best suited to your collections. It is also essential to determine if the provider offers concierge storage (or group storage), which allows clients to share space and pay per square foot. In this case, you will want to ensure that a staff member has the training and experience to handle your work safely and correctly. Another important consideration is the space available and how to access your artwork. For example, can you use a private room when picking up and returning your pieces? Will you be allowed to see your art in the viewing room without paying every time you visit? Finally, ask the provider what they do to track inventory. They should have a digital system so your works are not misplaced among thousands of other pieces. If a provider uses paper records, this is a red flag that their security measures may need to be revised.
Location
The location of a storage facility is essential for several reasons. First, if the facility is in an area prone to natural disasters, it must be prepared for earthquakes, fires, and floods. It will also need to have the proper equipment in place to deal with these issues. Another consideration is the proximity to your home or gallery. Having a professional storage facility closer to your gallery is often cost-effective, especially if you need to access your collection regularly for private exhibitions or pre-sale presentations. In this case, a shuttle service between your gallery and the storage facility can be organized every week or more regularly during busy periods. Finally, it is a good idea to ask your insurance broker to recommend an art storage provider vetted by their insurers. Most brokers have experience with art storage facilities or can direct you to a list of approved providers compiled by the insurance company underwriting your acceptable art policy. They can also advise you on any requirements for storing particular types of artwork. For example, oil paintings require different environmental conditions than watercolors or pastels. Some sculptures may require a specific type of wooden crate. Other works could need to be wrapped in acid-free paper.
Climate Control
Artwork can be extremely sensitive to temperature and humidity. High temperatures can cause paintings to deteriorate or crack. At the same time, extreme humidity levels can lead to mold and mildew, warp furniture, and speed up the acid deterioration of paper-based materials. An ideal art storage environment will have a stable temperature and humidity to protect against these issues. If you’re storing fine artwork in your home or a personal storage unit, you can protect your collection by turning a room into a climate-controlled art storage space. It’s also possible to store your collection in a basement or attic, although you should be cautious of these rooms because they might not be well-insulated and have moisture problems. A professional art storage facility will always come with climate control to provide optimal protection for your collection. A good art storage provider will be able to customize their space to meet the specific needs of your artwork.
Additionally, they should offer various storage options and prices to suit your needs, including the ability to store your collection in a climate-controlled environment. They should also be able to compile detailed storage reports monthly or quarterly. These reports will allow you to track the condition of your collection over time and make any necessary adjustments.
Security
The security of your fine art is of utmost importance. This includes ensuring the facility you choose can provide security measures like fire-resistant construction, central station alarms, and a backup generator for power failure. It would be best to ask about other security measures like surveillance cameras and access control. Finally, ensure your storage provider can modify settings in private storage rooms to ensure the safety of your collection. Another consideration is how easy it will be to access your artwork. If you visit your pieces regularly, you want a facility accommodating frequent handling. If your collection requires more long-term storage, you’ll need a facility with less accessibility to minimize potential damage. Additionally, if you have a gallery client that needs regular access to artwork in storage or you need to shuttle pieces to and from the storage location for a private sale, a facility with an on-site viewing room can save additional movement costs. Often, a storage facility that provides other art services like transportation, crating, and installation can easily handle this logistical need.
