Preservation Services:
Packing, Installation & Care
Proactive Preservation for the Future of Your Collection
ICA’s preservation services focus on proper handling, display, storage, and environmental care. We help prevent damage through professional packing and transportation, on-site installation services, display consulting and fabrication, and practical storage solutions. Based in Cleveland, we support museums, galleries, community collections, and private owners across Ohio, the greater Midwest, and nationwide.
Packing & Transportation
Art on the Move, Packed for the Road Ahead
We design packing solutions for paintings, works on paper, textiles, and objects using archival materials, corner and edge protection, cavity packing, and custom crating. For local and regional transport, we handle delivery directly; for national and international routes, we coordinate with trusted fine-art shippers to ensure safe arrival and seamless installation in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and beyond.
Installation & De-Installation Services
From a Single Painting to Full Exhibit Support
We provide professional art installation services for private collections, galleries, and institutions, ensuring secure hardware, precise alignment, and reliable mounting. From single works to full exhibitions, including outdoor sculpture and large-scale installations, we coordinate handling, delivery, and installation to meet structural and lender requirements while creating a polished, stable presentation.
Mounts & Supports
Designs to Safely Support the Art on View
We provide display solutions that balance preservation and presentation, including UV-filtering glazing, acid-free mats and backings, spacers, sealed frame packages, and protective casework for fragile items. For objects and sculpture, we design discreet supports, custom bases, and vitrines that protect and enhance. Our recommendations are rooted in preservation and tailored to the needs of galleries, historic homes, and venues throughout the North Coast and greater Midwest.
Frames & Mat Packages
Archival Framing for Works on Paper and Historic Frame Repair
Our archival mat packages create a protective enclosure for works on paper using acid-free boards, Japanese tissue hinges, and appropriate backings to provide support while maintaining safe separation from glazing. Historic frames receive conservation treatment, including reattachment of ornament and inpainting or toning of losses. We advise clients on hardware and hanging methods that help reduce long-term strain and damage.
Insurance Claims
Clear Estimates & Treatment Documentation
When damage occurs, we assist with condition documentation, itemized treatment estimates, and communication with insurers. Our written reports, photographs, and recommendations help create a straightforward path from claim to conservation and safe return to display or storage.
Disaster Assistance
Regional Support for Emergency Response
ICA hosts Alliance for Response Ohio (AR-OH), a collaborative that offers programs on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for cultural heritage organizations. AR-OH works with the Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management to reflect cultural needs in planning documents and delivers free programs on emergency readiness each year.
Photography & Documentation
Condition Documentation & Technical Imaging
We document each stage of preservation and treatment through detailed written reports and before-, during-, and after-treatment photography, creating a clear record of an object’s condition and care over time. When appropriate, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) examination can reveal earlier restorations, areas of overpaint, varnish layers, structural repairs, surface coatings, and other condition issues not visible under normal light, helping guide treatment decisions, display recommendations, and long-term collection care.
Surveys & Assessments
On-Site Reviews, Priorities & Policies
Collection surveys and institutional assessments evaluate storage, display, light, humidity, security, and workflows. Object-level surveys set priorities and provide time and cost estimates for treatment, rehousing, and art storage solutions. These reports support curatorial planning and grant applications, and many funders require assessments before conservation work is awarded.
Ensuring the Longevity of Our Shared Culture
Community-Centered Preservation Across the Midwest
From campus galleries to neighborhood museums and family homes, our work keeps collections stable and accessible. If you’re planning a move, exhibition, or a storage refresh, our team will help chart a custom preservation plan that fits your timeline, budget, and goals.
