AXA Art Responds to Latest Art Thefts, Offers Museums Worldwide Swift Protection Enhancements Through Security Audits
February 15 2008 - 9:20AM
PR Newswire (US)
COLOGNE, Germany, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- AXA Art, the leading
global art insurance specialist, today announced that effective
immediately, the company is offering to conduct security protocol
assessments of museums in its key markets. The goal is to identify
weaknesses and to provide feedback on measures that can be quickly
implemented to deter theft. In the face of the most recent major
art thefts in Switzerland -- only a few days of each other --
resulting in heightened concerns within the museum community about
increase in frequency of such major incidents -- the goal of AXA
Art is to offer assistance to museums that seek to re-examine and
improve their existing physical, electronic and manned security
systems and procedures. This process includes an interview and
physical inspection by an AXA Art approved security surveyor
followed by recommendations to each museum to enhance its existing
procedures. The surveys will concentrate on all aspects of theft
and armed robbery prevention. The service is free to AXA Art
clients internationally. A moderate flat fee will be charged for
non-AXA Art clients. "We consider theft a huge and increasing
threat to museums worldwide and as the leading art insurer we are
committed to help museums protect themselves and their
collections," says Dr. Ulrich Guntram, CEO of AXA Art Insurance AG.
"The joining of forces between a museum and its insurance company
is an obvious first step in preventing future incidents."
Successful robberies are usually characterized by easy access to
objects and quick escape routes. While one can ultimately not
prevent an armed robbery, implementing effective security measures
that include coordinated mechanical, physical and electronic
procedures can serve as deterrents and hinder the success of
thieves. Some helpful hints include not hanging important works of
art close to entrance and exit doors; tightly securing or encasing
important works; not allowing cars to park near building exits and
entrances; maintaining video surveillances inside galleries and
around museum facilities. Several years ago, recognizing the lack
of standard procedures for security and facility management in the
art world, AXA Art hired Global Risk Partners, an expert security
firm, to develop a "Global Risk Assessment Platform (GRASP)" to
create and manage a risk assessment system based on best practices.
By the end of 2006, AXA Art launched its "Museum Security Program"
in Europe and a "Warehouse Security Program" in the USA. To date,
more than 60 warehouses and 150 museums have been audited. While
the GRASP survey is extensive and covers over 1000 questions, the
present offer to audit museums will focus on security measures to
deter theft and armed robbery only. For information on this offer
to AXA Art's clients; please contact Rosalind Joseph at
718.710.5181 or email: About AXA Art Insurance AXA Art is the
leading global Art Insurer with international headquarters in
Cologne, Germany, and offices in France, the UK, Spain, Italy,
Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, North America and Asia. The
company insures objects in every active area of collecting which
extends from paintings, drawings and sculpture to rare stamps,
antique furnishings and vintage vehicles. AXA Art serves a wide
range of clients, from first-time purchasers to the world's most
respected collectors, as well as artists, museums, galleries,
corporations, and exhibition. In North America AXA Art maintains
operations in New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas,
Philadelphia and Boston as well as Toronto and Montreal. For more
information visit www.axa-art.com DATASOURCE: AXA Art CONTACT:
Rosalind Joseph of AXA Art, +1-718-710-5181, Web site:
http://www.axa-art.com/
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