Art Handler Services
Professional Art Transportation, Storage, and Collection Management
When it comes to valuable artwork, proper handling is essential. Artwork often carries significant financial, historical, and emotional value. A professional art handler helps minimize risks while ensuring that every piece receives the care it deserves.
Whether you are a museum curator, gallery owner, artist, auction house, or private collector, working with a professional art handler helps ensure that paintings, sculptures, installations, and other valuable pieces are protected throughout every stage of transportation, storage, and exhibition.
At Tapuz, we specialize in art handling services, providing tailored solutions for the packing, transportation, storage, and installation of artworks of all types. With years of experience working with museums, galleries, artists, and collectors in Israel and internationally, our team understands the unique requirements of fine art logistics.
What Does an Art Handler Do?
An art handler is responsible for the safe movement, protection, and management of artwork. This includes:
- Assessing artworks before transportation
- Designing custom packing solutions
- Building protective crates when needed
- Coordinating logistics and transportation
- Monitoring environmental conditions
- Installing and removing artworks from exhibitions
- Managing storage and inventory
- Ensuring compliance with insurance requirements
Because every artwork is unique, professional art handling requires specialized knowledge, attention to detail, and extensive experience.
Our Art Handling Process
1. On-Site Assessment
Our specialists visit the client’s home, gallery, office, museum, or storage facility to evaluate the artwork and determine the most suitable handling method.
During this stage, we assess:
- Dimensions and weight
- Material sensitivity
- Environmental requirements
- Transportation risks
- Installation requirements
- Insurance considerations
This preliminary assessment allows us to create a customized handling plan for each project.
2. Custom Packing and Crating
Professional packing is one of the most important aspects of art handling.
Tapuz uses high-quality archival materials and custom-built crates manufactured in our own workshop. Each crate is designed specifically for the artwork it will protect.
Our custom crating solutions include:
- Shock-absorbing materials
- Reinforced wooden structures
- Protective interior padding
- Humidity-resistant components
- Customized dimensions for maximum protection
This approach significantly reduces the risk of damage during transportation and storage.
3. Specialized Art Transportation
Moving artwork requires more than a standard moving truck.
Our fleet includes vehicles specifically designed for transporting fine art. These vehicles feature:
- Climate-control systems
- Temperature and humidity management
- Padded storage areas
- Secure mounting systems
- Shock-reduction protection
Every shipment is supervised by trained art handlers who ensure that each piece remains secure throughout the journey.
4. Delivery, Installation, and Placement
Upon arrival, our team carefully unloads, inspects, and installs the artwork.
Services may include:
- Wall mounting
- Sculpture placement
- Exhibition installation
- Condition reporting
- Final inspection
The artwork is only considered delivered once its condition has been verified and approved.
Art Handling for Museums, Galleries, and Collectors
Professional art handling is especially important for institutions and individuals managing valuable collections.
Tapuz regularly works with:
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Auction houses
- Artists
- Private collectors
- Corporate collections
- Cultural institutions
Our experience includes handling individual artworks as well as complete exhibitions traveling between local and international destinations.
Fine Art Storage Solutions
In addition to transportation, professional storage is a critical component of art handling.
Artwork is highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Improper storage can result in cracking, mold growth, warping, color fading and/or structural damage.
To protect valuable collections, Tapuz offers several levels of secure art storage:
Museum-Standard Vault Storage
Our highest level of protection includes:
- Climate-controlled vaults
- Temperature monitoring
- Humidity control
- Advanced security systems
- Restricted access
These facilities meet the strict standards often required by insurance providers and cultural institutions.
Climate-Controlled Storage Rooms
For many collections, climate-controlled rooms provide an ideal balance between accessibility and protection.
These facilities maintain stable environmental conditions that help preserve artwork over long periods.
Standard Secure Storage
For less sensitive items, we also offer secure storage rooms with professional security systems and controlled access.
Collection Management and Cataloging
For larger collections, organization is just as important as physical protection.
Tapuz offers collection cataloging services that may include:
- Photography of each artwork
- Numbering and identification
- Digital inventory records
- Condition documentation
- Collection tracking
This service is particularly valuable for museums, galleries, estates, and private collectors managing multiple artworks.
If you are looking for a trusted art handler to protect, transport, or store valuable artwork, contact Tapuz today to discuss a solution tailored to your specific needs.