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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
 For exhibitions with few environmental or security restrictions.
No food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time
Fire protection according to local ordinance
Limited-access gallery or display area; hallways, lobbies, other trafficways not acceptable
Exhibition locked after hours
No temperature extremes (65 - 75 degrees)
No humidity extremes (45 - 65%)
No sunlight; light sources must have UV filters, and windows will be blocked by shades or blinds at all times
Responsible supervision of artwork at all times
Careful 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.
No food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time
Fire protection according to local ordinance
Minimum 3 professional staff or receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping
Limited-access gallery
Exhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards may also be required
Total temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)
No relative humidity extremes (+/- 10% fluctuation in a 24-hour period)
No sunlight; light sources (including windows with shades/blinds) must have ultraviolet filters
Staff trained specifically for secure supervision of the exhibition must remain in the display area at all times while open to the public
Exhibitor must have or be able to produce display furniture including:
 Secured cases or secured vitrines on pedestals for small objects
Objects 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.
No food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time
Fire protection according to local ordinance
Temperature and humidity-controlled crate storage
Limited-access gallery or display area; hallways, lobbies, other trafficways not acceptable
Exhibition locked after hours
Total temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)
Relative humidity of 45 - 55% at all times; no greater than 10% fluctuation over a 24-hour period
No sunlight; light sources (including windows with shades/blinds) must have ultraviolet filters
Display area light levels not to exceed 5 - 7 foot-candles
Responsible supervision of artwork at all times
Handling 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.
No food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time
Fire protection according to local ordinance
Temperature and humidity-controlled crate storage
Minimum 3 professional staff for receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping Limited-access gallery
Exhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards may also be required
Total temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)
Relative humidity of 45 - 55% at all times; no greater than 10% fluctuation over a 24-hour period
No sunlight; light sources (including windows with shades/blinds) must have ultraviolet filters
Display 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
Responsible supervision by guards or trained personnel whose sole duty is supervision of exhibition at all times while open to the public
Objects 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.
No food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time
Fire protection according to local ordinance
Temperature and humidity-controlled crate storage
Minimum 3 professional staff for receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping
Limited-access gallery
Exhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards may also be required
Total temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)
Relative humidity of 45 - 55% at all times; no greater than 10% fluctuation in a 24-hour period
No sunlight; light sources (including blocked windows) must have ultraviolet filters
Display 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
Staff trained specifically for secure supervision of the exhibition remain in the display area at all times while exhibition is open to the public
Exhibitor must have or be able to produce display furniture including:
Secured cases or secured vitrines on pedestals for small objects
Objects 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.
No food or drink in gallery or around artworks at any time
Fire protection according to local ordinance
Temperature and humidity-controlled crate storage
Loading area capable of receiving tractor-trailers up to 80 feet in length and high-cube trailers (trailers with inside height of 117 - 124 inches)
Minimum 3 professional staff for receiving shipping, installation, de-installation, outgoing shipping
Limited-access gallery
Exhibition locked after hours; alarms or night guards must be in place
Organizations must have HVAC or equivalent environmental control and monitoring systems in place
Total temperature control (gallery temperature maintained at constant 68-72 degrees)
Relative humidity constant at 50%, +/- 3% (no greater than 6% fluctuation in a 24 hour period)
No sunlight; artificial light sources have UV filters and are not aimed directly at objects
Light level restrictions determined according to exhibition
Trained, professional guards in sufficient number to adequately protect exhibition
Exhibitor must have or be able to produce display furniture including:
Secured cases or secured vitrines on pedestals for small objects
Objects 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
Other restrictions as required which may include, but are not limited to:
Enclosed sculpture garden and/or patrolling guards for outdoor work
Provisions for monitoring outdoor work after hours
Additional staff requirements for installing and monitoring artwork
Facility reports reviewed by lending institutions | 
