Installation

Installing your exhibition is an exciting, dynamic process that draws on the expertise of the Exhibitions Department and professional Art Handlers to bring your vision to life. At least one week prior to the installation, we will host and Installation Brief to review the logistics of the process. 

• See Packing & Shipping for guidance on packing and shipping your loans.

• See Layouts & Arrangement for more information about planning your item arrangement.

Transportation & Installation

Transportation and installation dates will be arranged with the Exhibitions & Communications Manager. The Grolier Club works within a two-week window for exhibition turnaround, including deinstallation of the prior exhibition and installation of the new. Therefore, it is important that you plan the installation of your exhibition and all loan materials within a 5-7 weekday framework. Please note that the Club cannot offer weekend hours for installation or for delivery/pickup of exhibition items. 

Shipping

• Exhibition materials may arrive at the Club no later than fifteen days in advance of the opening. If you live nearby, you may pick up your books after the closing of the show. If you live out of town, please make arrangements for the shipment of your items with the Exhibitions Manager. 

• Please note that funds are not available for the shipping of loan items. You will need to make shipping/transportation arrangements at your own expense. See Budget and Billing for further information.

Installation and Fabrication

• Please ensure that your installation plans are complete and all frames and other exhibition architecture will arrive prefabricated and ready to be installed. We can provide you with a limited supply of Plexiglas easels, museum board cradles and small shelves with advance notice of your needs.

• A team of highly-skilled Club staff and art handlers will assist you with the installation and deinstallation of your exhibition. The installation can require up to five full weekdays, scheduled in the two weeks prior to the Wednesday opening of your show. Please note that weekend hours are not available for either installation or deinstallation work. 

Typical Schedule

A typical schedule for an installation follows:

• • Day 0 (Wednesday): Materials arrive and acclimate in the Club for 24 hours.

  • Day 1 (Thursday): Exhibitions Department unpacks loans and processes intake using internal registrar documents.

  • Day 2 (Friday): Exhibitions Dept & Curator walk through layout of exhibition, discusses final technical needs for materials

  • Day 3-5 (Monday-Wednesday): Exhibitions Dept and Art Handlers execute technical installation of materials, using Club resources or pre-fabricated cradles, if available. 

  • Days 6 (Thursday): Final walkthrough with curator to confirm object order and arrangement. 

  • Day 7 (Friday): Exhibitions Dept finalizes installation, cleans gallery, formats and places final label copy, and prepares for press preview.

  • Day 8 (Monday): Lighting design. 

  • Day 9 (Tuesday): Opening Reception for Exhibition at 6pm.