Case Study: The Butler Institute of American Art achieves proactive artwork protection and theft prevention with Axis Communications and Acuity‑vct

The Butler Institute utilizes Axis network cameras paired with Acuity-vct’s Object Protection Software to protect its vast collections of historical displays

The Butler Institute of American Art, a free-admission museum in Youngstown, OH that displays over 21,000 works across roughly 60,000 sq ft and welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors a year, faced ongoing risks of damage and theft after incidents such as a visitor removing a painting to show a child. To address these concerns the museum turned to Axis Communications, deploying Axis network cameras paired with Acuity-vct’s Object Protection Software to monitor galleries and protect individual artworks.

Axis Communications installed an integrated system of over 200 Axis cameras (originally 100 AXIS 210A units) with overhead views and Acuity-vct protection zones that trigger audible alerts and notify security when pixels are breached. The Axis solution has reduced repeat touching and potential damage, allowed guards to focus on real threats, provided forensic-quality video for law enforcement, and improved overall efficiency and artifact protection.

The Butler Institute of American Art

Louis Zona

Executive Director and Chief Curato