Prevents Touches
Multiplies Security Force & Saves Money
Improves Visitor Experience
Promotes Visitor Equity
Provides Data & Insights
People need art. In fact, an article in Frontiers in Psychology notes that people may be happier and less stressed when they have authentic aesthetic experiences. Researchers noted that mental health is improved in art museums.
It’s no wonder people want to get close to the historical objects and artwork in your galleries. Art makes people feel good. Sometimes, though, they get too close. That’s why you need Art Sentry.
Art Sentry’s patented technology helps you protect your historical objects and artwork and avoid the costs associated with damage and repairs. A camera-based, motion-detection zone is customized by you, creating an invisible protection area around each precious piece of art. When anyone gets into the protected zone, they trigger the system and receive a warning. An automated voice gently reminds anyone – without discrimination or potentially singling out a demographic group. As a critical addition to the existing human security force, the Art Sentry system improves protection and can ultimately save money for museums and cultural properties.
Art Sentry’s specialized security system adds value to the security teams of museums nationwide. It helps them enhance the protection of priceless paintings, sculptures, pottery, and more. Museums now count on our customized and automated alarm system to prevent unwanted touches of valuable artifacts and collection pieces. A favorite feature is that visitors don’t even know this technology is in place unless they get too close. If and when they do, a voice reminds them to step back. That prevents accidental damage to your expensive and often priceless assets.
The system really works. Studies have shown that social media often drives bad visitor behavior within museums. Often, guests will purposely try to distract the security guards in an attempt to get the perfect selfie with a collection piece.
The number of touches has been proven to be far more than most museums realize. Consider that the guards at a top U.S. Museum reported three touches in a month. A few months later, after the installation of the Art Sentry system, the technology recorded an average of 386 attempted touches per month. And those touches were despite stanchions and signs in place to deter visitors. Using audible alerts, this museum effectively prevented 92 percent of all touches.
Read Our Case Study and Learn More About Touch-Protection
Art Sentry’s accurate automation works in tandem with security guards to enhance the protection of valuable art and artifacts. Until recently the only way to safeguard the works was through watchful, and limited, human eyes.
Museum managers are grateful that the Art Sentry system helps guards cover exponentially more artwork and more galleries. That results in fewer transgressions and increased cost savings. Museums often have a tough time hiring new guards and filling vacancies. Our system fills the gap while museums benefit from lower labor costs.
The system also reduces serious damage and associated repair costs. That’s significant as each serious-damage incident may cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. One top U.S. museum has reported 60 percent less serious damage incidents and its associated significant cost savings.
Our museum customers appreciate the objectivity of Art Sentry’s security system’s audible alert. It triggers when anyone gets too close to your irreplaceable cultural treasures. And it avoids uncomfortable or embarrassing interactions between visitors and guards. Visitors prefer audible alerts over these potentially stressful interactions. One top U.S. Museum says it has received far fewer complaints regarding their security forces and improved scores received on visitor comment cards. Additionally, your guards focus more on positive interaction with visitors, creating an even better experience.
With the system, security staff is no longer responsible for subjective judgment calls, which protects the museum from accusations of discrimination. The system alerts everyone – no matter what they look like or how they’re dressed – when they cross into the protection zone. Museums using our system have seen a marked decrease in accusations of bias from visitors. Fewer accusations of bias lead to a more welcoming museum environment.
Art Sentry compiles data from the alerts and provides statistical reporting and visual “event” data. This helps curators better present collections and modify art placement to further reduce touches. This also allows you to reposition your guard deployments to focus on securing the areas that need the most attention. Additionally, the system provides the data to assess and mitigate potential safety concerns based on how visitors make their way through exhibits.
*Due to the sensitive nature of museum security operations, actual client names often are not used in Art Sentry case studies. If client names are used, all content has been approved for use by the museum's executive management.