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Security Requirements

ExhibitsUSA has revised its facilities and security requirements. These new requirements, expanded from three to six levels of security, are more precisely tailored to address the wide variety of physical concerns that our exhibitions present.

Our goal is to provide more detail and clarity, both to assist exhibitors and to ensure the safety of the artwork. Detailing our requirements regarding supervision, furniture, installation, and environment, should help potential exhibitors better understand the physical requirements of each exhibition.

Please contact Angelette Hart, Registrar, at 800-473-EUSA (3872) or email her with any questions. She has information about resources that can help your organization meet our requirements.


Limited

BulletFor exhibitions with few environmental or security restrictions.

BulletNo food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time

BulletFire protection according to local ordinance

BulletLimited-access gallery or display area; hallways, lobbies, other trafficways not acceptable

BulletExhibition locked after hours

BulletNo temperature extremes (65 - 75 degrees)

BulletNo humidity extremes (45 - 65%)

BulletNo sunlight; light sources must have UV filters, and windows will be blocked by shades or blinds at all times

BulletResponsible supervision of artwork at all times

BulletCareful handling


Moderate A

Furniture and Installation Technique Emphasis

For exhibitions which do not require distinct environmental control, but which have multiple display modes (floor, wall, pedestal, ceiling), and require display furniture and trained installation staff. These exhibitions are inherently vulnerable, due to artistic media.

BulletNo food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time

BulletFire protection according to local ordinance

BulletMinimum 3 professional staff or receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping

BulletLimited-access gallery

BulletExhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards may also be required

BulletTotal temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)

BulletNo relative humidity extremes (+/- 10% fluctuation in a 24-hour period)

BulletNo sunlight; light sources (including windows with shades/blinds) must have ultraviolet filters

BulletStaff trained specifically for secure supervision of the exhibition must remain in the display area at all times while open to the public

BulletExhibitor must have or be able to produce display furniture including:

BulletSecured cases or secured vitrines on pedestals for small objects

BulletObjects on the floor or on very large pedestals must have ropes or other barriers to keep public at least 40 inches from the exhibition at all times


Moderate B

Environment Emphasis, Simple Installation

For exhibitions that primarily require control of environmental factors: works on paper, original photography, and framed painting exhibitions.

BulletNo food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time

BulletFire protection according to local ordinance

BulletTemperature and humidity-controlled crate storage

BulletLimited-access gallery or display area; hallways, lobbies, other trafficways not acceptable

BulletExhibition locked after hours

BulletTotal temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)

BulletRelative humidity of 45 - 55% at all times; no greater than 10% fluctuation over a 24-hour period

BulletNo sunlight; light sources (including windows with shades/blinds) must have ultraviolet filters

BulletDisplay area light levels not to exceed 5 - 7 foot-candles

BulletResponsible supervision of artwork at all times

BulletHandling by volunteers is acceptable only in the presence of trained personnel


Moderate C

Environment and Installation Technique Emphasis

For exhibitions that require control of environmental factors and which are fragile, cumbersome, or technically difficult, requiring trained museum staff for handling and display supervision.

BulletNo food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time

BulletFire protection according to local ordinance

BulletTemperature and humidity-controlled crate storage

BulletMinimum 3 professional staff for receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping Limited-access gallery

BulletExhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards may also be required

BulletTotal temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)

BulletRelative humidity of 45 - 55% at all times; no greater than 10% fluctuation over a 24-hour period

BulletNo sunlight; light sources (including windows with shades/blinds) must have ultraviolet filters

BulletDisplay area light levels not to exceed 5 - 7 foot-candles for textiles, watercolors, and other works on paper; 20 foot candles for paintings on canvas. Gallery light level determined by most sensitive object in a multi-media exhibition

BulletResponsible supervision by guards or trained personnel whose sole duty is supervision of exhibition at all times while open to the public

BulletObjects on the floor or on very large pedestals must have ropes or other barriers to keep public at least 40 inches from the exhibition at all times


Moderate D

Environment, Furniture, and Installation Technique

For exhibitions whose objects require consistent attention to environmental factors, trained museum staff for handling and display supervision, and display furniture.

BulletNo food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time

BulletFire protection according to local ordinance

BulletTemperature and humidity-controlled crate storage

BulletMinimum 3 professional staff for receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping

BulletLimited-access gallery

BulletExhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards may also be required

BulletTotal temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)

BulletRelative humidity of 45 - 55% at all times; no greater than 10% fluctuation in a 24-hour period

BulletNo sunlight; light sources (including blocked windows) must have ultraviolet filters

BulletDisplay area light levels not to exceed 5 foot candles for textiles, watercolors and other works on paper, 20 foot candles for paintings on canvas. Gallery light level determined by most sensitive object in a multi-media exhibition

BulletStaff trained specifically for secure supervision of the exhibition remain in the display area at all times while exhibition is open to the public

BulletExhibitor must have or be able to produce display furniture including:

BulletSecured cases or secured vitrines on pedestals for small objects

BulletObjects on the floor or on very large pedestals must have ropes or other barriers to keep public at least 40 inches from the exhibition at all times


High

This level is reserved for exhibitions with extremely high aggregate insurance values, extreme fragility, great historical value, any combination of these, and/or other undeniable reasons for its assignment.

BulletNo food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time

BulletFire protection according to local ordinance

BulletTemperature and humidity-controlled crate storage

BulletLoading area capable of receiving tractor-trailers up to 80 feet in length and high-cube trailers (trailers with inside height of 117 - 124 inches)

BulletMinimum 3 professional staff for receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping

BulletLimited-access gallery

BulletExhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards must be in place

BulletOrganizations must have HVAC or equivalent environmental control and monitoring systems in place

BulletTotal temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)

BulletRelative humidity constant at 50%, +/- 3% (no greater than 6% fluctuation in a 24 hour period)

BulletNo sunlight; artificial light sources have UV filters and are not aimed directly at objects

BulletLight level restrictions determined according to exhibition

BulletTrained, professional guards in sufficient number to adequately protect exhibition

BulletExhibitor must have or be able to produce display furniture including:

BulletSecured cases or secured vitrines on pedestals for small objects

BulletObjects on the floor or on very large pedestals must have ropes or other barriers to keep public at least 40 inches from the exhibition at all times

BulletOther restrictions as required which may include, but are not limited to:

BulletEnclosed sculpture garden and/or patrolling guards for outdoor work

BulletProvisions for monitoring outdoor work after hours

BulletAdditional staff requirements for installing and monitoring artwork

BulletFacility reports reviewed by lending institutions


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