Prevent Art Theft & Safeguard Your Collection with Confidence

Practical Security Tips and Advice for Art Owners

More than mere valuable items, your art collection reflects history, who you are, and perhaps even your legacy. So, by adequately protecting your art, you’re safeguarding irreplaceable pieces and the stories they hold and tell.

The question of how to prevent art theft is central to what Art Guard does. It’s our mission to help you keep your collections secure! Here are a few effective security measures to implement.

Recognize The Threat?

The loss of valuable, irreplaceable objects is bad enough. Art theft can cause immense emotional distress and financial loss. Insurance is a faulty excuse for not implementing a tight security solution.

The motivations behind art theft vary greatly, from financial gain to leverage to personal obsession.

Recovering stolen art is often complicated and mostly impossible. $Billions worth of art is stolen every year and the recovery rate is only 3-5%.

Building an Art Security Plan

Adequate artwork protection starts with a layered security approach. It should address different risk areas and combine different security measures. Depending on your collection, budget and needs, you might not need all of these measures.

Perimeter Security

Secure the outer edges of your property. Strong doors, reinforced windows, and secure gates are essential. Door/window sensors should be installed without question. Consider motion sensor lights outside to deter night time intruders and cameras to recognize a possible threat and record incidents.

Building Security

Focus on access control inside. Install robust locks on doors and windows. For high-value items, consider secure rooms or vaults. Alarm systems are crucial for detecting unauthorized entry.

Object-Specific Security

This is where specialized art security comes in. For individual artworks, we recommend sensors like Art Guard’s MAP wireless sensors and the MAP wireless systems. The wireless sensors are discreet and highly effective, detecting movement or the removal of an art piece, whether hanging or seated. MAP sensors can be integrated into an existing security system or a completely dedicated system.

Advanced Surveillance

Modern surveillance systems go beyond basic cameras. High-definition cameras with video analytics can detect unusual activity. Features like motion detection and facial recognition can add extra layers of security. Camera technology can also create an invisible curtain next to a wall or around a piece to warn off anyone getting too close to a work.

Wireless Sensor Systems

Wireless sensors offer flexible and discreet protection. They are easy to install and monitor and provide real-time alerts if artwork is tampered with. MAP sensors are at the heart of the MAP Gold System a dedicated, plug-and-play system favored by collectors for it’s always-on discreet protection, ease of use and flexibility.

Best Practices for Art Owners

• Maintain a detailed inventory of your collection. Catalogue each piece with photos, descriptions, and provenance (history of ownership). This is crucial for insurance purposes and recovery if theft does occur.
• Evaluate your security regularly. Are there vulnerabilities? Has anything changed in your neighborhood or in circumstances that might increase risk? Proactive assessment is vital.
• If you have staff who handle or are around your art, ensure they are trained in security protocols and art handling. Unfortunately, insider threats are a genuine concern in art theft.
• Art is vulnerable during transport. Use reputable art handlers and insured shipping methods. Consider security escorts for high-value items.
• Think about how and where you display your art. High-value pieces should be in secure locations, away from easy access. Consider using secure display cases or reinforced walls for especially valuable items.
• Have a plan in place if theft occurs. Know who to contact (law enforcement, insurance, etc.). Immediate action can improve the chances of recovery.

How to Prevent Art Theft

We focus on providing cutting-edge, reliable art security solutions.

Our MAP system is explicitly designed to protect artwork. It offers a discreet and effective way to safeguard your collection, and it was developed with security and aesthetics in mind.

We partner with art owners to create customized security plans that fit their needs.

Contact us today for pricing and more information.