Secure Art Store

Protecting collections for future generations

Interior view of Secure Art store shelving with a person in context.
Location
Sydney, Gadigal Country, Australia
Status
Completed 2009
Client
Art Gallery of NSW
Type
Civic & Cultural, Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure

The $18M Secure Art Store is a critical part of the AGNSW’s long-term masterplan. 

The two storey building provides more than 5,000 square metres of controlled, conditioned space for collection material, together with workshops, conservation labs, and photography studios. The building is equipped with a secure, climate-controlled loading dock.

The building houses more than 10,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs in specially made racks, cabinets, compactus, and open storage areas.

Interior view of Secure Art store loading dock with people.

The Art Gallery collection store is recognised as the best art store in the country and has been acknowledged as such by international colleagues.

Anne Flanagan
Deputy Director, AGNSW

Interior view of Secure Art store Photography studio.

Photography studio, with finishes and lighting matching the galleries in the main gallery building, supports archival recording, exhibition planning and collection management.

AGNSW’s Secure Art Store includes climate-controlled transit stores that simplify the receipt and dispatch of artefacts from the main gallery building or other institutions across Australia and around the world.

JPW worked closely with the Project Control Group and consultants to ensure the best outcome. We are very proud of the building, the collection is stored efficiently and the staff enjoy working there.

Anne Flanagan
Deputy Director, AGNSW

All circulation spaces are designed to enable the safe movement of collections and staff.

Deciding to move a collection offsite is a complex and deeply felt decision by a cultural institution. JPW shared the detailed planning with Gallery staff, particularly the registration and building services staff. They engage with a project team to understand the brief and find the best possible outcome.

Anne Flanagan
Deputy Director, AGNSW

Interior view of Secure Art Store with people preparing artwork for storage.

Workshops enable the efficient preparation of storage and transport frames and boxes.

Interior view of Secure Art Store with people moving artwork into storage.

JPW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and honours their continuing connection to lands, waters, skies, and communities.

We offer our respect to Elders past and those present – as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work.