Museum & Fine Art Services
COLLECTION SERVICES
Collection storage design
Art storage and object storage require careful consideration. All housed collections require strategic planning to provide both long-term protection and access. Bark Paintings, scientific apparatus, costumes, books and artworks all require a specific storage solution depends upon the space they will occupy, their level of fragility, and how they will be handled. POD works with a flexible range of large object packing solutions to meet the needs of all your handling and storage challenges.
We have 20 years of collection service experience and have worked systematically through museum collections to upgrade object storage, maximize usable space, and improve access. POD has provided improved collection storage for clients such as the Queensland Museum, University of Melbourne and Australian College of Dentistry.
Object handling and packing
We know that your objects will be most at risk when they are being handled. With careful design and the extensive range of archival materials at our disposal, we will design and fabricate a packing solution for your collection based on the individual needs of the object, access/storage parameters, and budget. Our collection service team members have training and experience in the safe handling of museum and art gallery collection objects.
Both POD Directors have been involved in major Australian institution relocation projects and have built specialised skills as a result. During 2017, POD developed storage and packing protocols for the Queensland Museum and trained local staff on care and handling.
Archival packing
There is a range of good standard sized archival boxing solutions available to the museum professional. However, if you are looking to rehouse your collection in an existing storage facility or if space is at a premium, standard sized units can create more problems than they solve.
As part of our collection services, we work closely with collection managers and curators to design and fabricate custom sized acid-free boxes for your collection items. You won’t need to reorganize your entire store to accommodate your newly housed objects. Your collection is safely protected, and your location codes need not be rearranged.
Stillages and crates
Medium to large three-dimensional objects has their own storage and handling challenges. POD can provide custom fitted stillages or open frame support for storage and these objects. We provide these practical and affordable custom-made storage units to major collecting institutions nationwide.
The open framework provides a solid perimeter around the object yet allows complete visual access to the item. Once installed by our staff using archivally sensitive materials where required, these units can be safely moved with minimum risk to the structural integrity of its contents. Stillage-supported objects can also be crated for further protection if required.
TOURING OBJECTS AND ART
Touring Crates
At POD, our approach to crate construction, packing materials and methodology is based on years of experience collaborating with major collection-based institutions. We understand and work to the exacting standards that conservators, registrars, and collection managers expect for art packing and art travel. Our staff will assess the art or objects on-site and make recommendations on the best art crate option. Art travel crate options vary in standard and price and include museum standard crates, relocation standard crates and light-duty crates (for courier).
POD produces custom-built crates and can also offer a crate rental service.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Museum Standard Crates
- Provides the highest level of climate control and protection
- Best choice for art travel and international loans
- Timber and plywood construction (see materials page)
- Multiple levels of insulation
- Durable crate lining
- Heavy duty bolts used for door closure
- Hard wearing, high visibility exterior paint
- Certified for export (see materials page)
- All internal packing materials archivally sound
- All materials are selected to suit the individual packing requirements of your object
Relocation Standard Crates
- Not recommended for art or objects that are at risk from fluctuations in temperature and humidity; these lack climate control insulation
- Contents are safely packed for travel and short-term storage
- These have the same quality of structure and level of durability as our Museum standard crates at a lower price point
Light duty crates
- Recommended for any works to travel via dedicated art couriers
- Best when the weight and size of the packed unit is a priority
- Our Light Duty Crates provide an economical alternative to the standard timber/plywood crate
MATERIALS
Touring Crate Materials
- Wide range of structural and archival materials for both long-term storage and touring artworks or objects
- Stability and protection offered by materials such as inert PE foams, acid-free cardboard, soft fabrics and films
Plywood
- Sourced from renewable plantation e.g. Pinus radiata
- complies with the relevant standards to meet Australian and New Zealand building codes
- POD crates are generally clad in a 9mm ply material, but this can be changed according to the client’s requirements.
Packing materials
- The right choice of internal packing materials ensures support without damage
- POD use a wide range of closed cell Polyethylene foams for archival packing
- Polyethylene foams such as Zotefoam or Ethafoam provide the shock and vibration absorption. These foams are nitrogen or butane blown, so they will not degrade or release potentially damaging gas.
- Archivally sound cardboards and films are also used to offer protection and guard against damage
Timber
- Timber used is finger jointed which means stable, knot free and sap free timber in all our products and minimal wastage at the mill and in our workshop
- All timber used in our products is kiln dried and supplied from an F.S.C, and ISPM 15 certified timber mill to meet international environmental and quarantine standards.
See the Timber Certification for more information.
Export Certification- ISPM 15
ISPM 15 is a mandatory requirement for solid timber packaging and dunnage. It’s been mandatory in Australia since 2006 and is an International requirement for all exports from Australia.
ISPM 15 was developed to address the global spread of timber pests by regulating the movement of timber packing and dunnage in international trade. It describes phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introduction and/or spread of quarantine pests associated with solid timber packing material.
POD museum and Art Services is a registered AWPCS (Australian Wood Packaging Certification Scheme) supplier. POD uses only high-quality heat-treated Pinus radiata supplied by a registered AWPCS mill, and all POD products containing solid timber destined for international travel will be stamped accordingly.
For more information on export certification in Australia, please go to www.aqis.gov.au
Protecting a collection can be done in ways that also protect forests and the environment. POD Museum and Art Services source all its solid timber from an F.S.C certified wood mill.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation founded in 1993 to develop standards based on the ‘10 Principles for Forest Stewardship’ by which responsible forest practice can be measured.