Protecting art heritage

Artworks often exist on fragile or at-risk media, whether on digital carriers such as CDs, DVDs, and hard drives, or physical carriers like videotape and film. These formats degrade over time and risk becoming obsolete. Galleries and cultural institutions need confidence that their works will be preserved, accessible, and exhibition-ready when required. DAMsmart supports organisations with professional artwork preservation services, safely migrating high-value collections into secure, sustainable digital formats.

Talk to us today

/01

Proven experience

DAMsmart has worked with leading institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the National Archives of Singapore, and M+ in Hong Kong, as well as many other galleries and cultural organisations. Across these projects, we have delivered specialised artwork preservation workflows that safeguard access while ensuring the creative intent of each piece is never altered.

/02

Selection and assessment

Not every item in a collection requires the same treatment. We assist with selection based on format, condition, and curatorial priorities, ensuring that the most at-risk or exhibition-critical works are stabilised first. This approach balances preservation requirements with exhibition timelines and institutional needs.

/03

Dedicated workflows

Artworks are unique and often irreplaceable. For these projects, we provide dedicated, one-on-one workflows where each carrier is handled with the highest level of care. This ensures creative works are preserved with the attention they deserve, aligning with best practices in artwork preservation.

/04

Multiple file outputs

Digitisation is only the beginning. We create multiple versions of each work, including access files, exhibition-ready masters, sharing copies, and long-term preservation files. This ensures artworks are always available in the right format for any use, without compromising the original quality.

/05

Digital preservation outcomes

For long-term security, we deliver preservation packages such as BagIt-compliant bundles, ensuring files meet archival standards and remain stable over time. These outcomes provide confidence that artworks are protected against loss, corruption, or obsolescence, a critical part of comprehensive artwork preservation.

/06

Reporting and replication

Every project includes detailed reporting and process commentary, giving galleries full visibility into the handling of their works. We also replicate digitised content across multiple delivery media, from hard drives to LTO tapes to cloud storage, ensuring artworks are safe, accessible, and ready wherever they are needed.

Preserving creative works
with care and precision.

Protecting art heritage

Proven experience

Selection and assessment

Dedicated workflows

Multiple file outputs

Digital preservation outcomes

Reporting and replication

Ready to preserve your artworks?

Let’s work together to make your stories of the past, part of the future.

Preserving creative works with care and precision.

Protecting art heritage

Proven experience

Selection and assessment

Dedicated workflows

Multiple file outputs

Digital preservation outcomes

Reporting and replication

Ready to preserve your artworks?

Let’s work together to make your stories of the past, part of the future.

Preserving creative works
with care and precision.