The ins and outs of the new curatorial loading dock

Things are never dull behind the scenes at the Museum. There is a constant stream of glass leaving the Museum on loan to be exhibited at other institutions, loans from other museums coming in, as well as new acquisitions to add to the permanent glass collection. Every year between 500 and a few thousand glass objects pass through our doors.

In 2012, the Museum will loan objects to exhibitions in the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Receiving institutions include the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, NY, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ, and the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, and many others. Our glass objects have gone as far as the Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo, Japan, and as close as the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY.

Have you ever wondered how and when this all happens? All the glass moves in and out through our curatorial loading dock, which recently underwent renovations.

For years, the Curatorial Department has struggled with an aging lift and a fairly ineffective loading dock. As the main artery for glass objects coming in and out of the building (and the first experience for other museums’ couriers and art shippers) we felt that it was finally time for an upgrade.

Earlier this year we embarked on a project to not only replace the often malfunctioning lift and to increase the effectiveness of the dock, but also, to make the back of the house as “World Class” as the rest of the Museum.

Thanks to the hard work and good planning of the Preparators, Operations, Safety staff and our contractor, Streeter Associates Inc., I am happy to announce that the new loading dock has been built with safety, efficiency and flexibility in mind, and is now officially open for business.