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 an Installation Brief to review the logistics of the process. 

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

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

Transportation & Installation

Transportation and installation dates will be arranged with the Director of Exhibitions. The Grolier Club works within a two-week window for exhibition turnaround, including deinstallation of the prior exhibition and installation of the new. We will work together to determine installation dates to be planned 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

• We ask that all Members Exhibition Curators deliver their materials at least one month prior to the beginning of their installation period, either by hand or through a chosen shipping service. We will store your materials in our secure storage. 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 Director of Exhibitions. 

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

Installation and Fabrication

• We will confirm your installation plans prior to the installation pre-brief. Please ensure that your loans are prepared for handling, including framed items and other custom architecture is prefabricated and ready to be installed. We will provide 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 T-30 (One month prior to installation): Exhibitions Department receives materials, unpacks, and processes intake using internal registrar documents. Materials are photographed, measured, then stored in our secure storage onsite at the Club.

  • Day 1 (Wednesday): Exhibitions Department places materials in cases according to arrangement layouts. Curator & Exhibitions Department walk through the layout of the exhibition to review arrangement and fabrication needs. 

  • Days 2-3 (Thursday-Friday): Exhibitions Dept and Art Handlers execute technical installation of materials, using Club resources or pre-fabricated cradles, if available. 

  • Days 4-8 (Monday-Friday): Exhibitions Dept finalizes installation, formats and places final labels, cleans gallery, prepares for press preview.

  • Day 9-10 (Monday-Tuesday): All is quiet. 

  • Day 11 (Wednesday Eve): Opening Reception for Exhibition at 5:30pm.