About Us
Cooke’s Crating is a fine art handler, fine art transporter, and fine art storage company.
Family-owned since 1975.
We are Honored!
Art Can Kill by Bryan Cooke offers a window into the lives of celebrities and contemporary art figures, including stories of Larry Gagosian, Larry Flynt, Dr. Armand Hammer, Joan Rivers, Norton Simon, Frank Gehry, and many more.
About Cooke's Crating
One of the nation’s oldest and most respected fine arts handlers and shippers, Cooke’s Crating and Fine Arts Transportation is the company museums, galleries, and collectors trust for their art moving needs. We have successfully moved entire museums and shipped some of the world’s most valuable art.
With a background of more than 50 years of art handling experience, owner Bryan Cooke has recruited a team of highly creative and skilled individuals, many of whom are working artists, to provide the highest level of professional fine art services.
Our ongoing commitment, dedication, and love for the arts, has helped Cooke’s establish its reputation as one of the most reliable firms in the field.
With approximately 100,000 square feet of secured warehouse space, including 65,000 climate-controlled art storage, and our staff of highly trained art handlers, we can handle jobs ranging from the packing and shipping of entire museum exhibitions to the custom installation of paintings, murals and monumental sculptures.
When your most precious objects need to be moved or shipped, call Cooke’s Crating.
About Bryan Cooke
Bryan Cooke attended Claremont Graduate School and has an MFA from the University of Southern California. Bryan has been involved in the fine art services since 1969 and is a recognized as an expert in the industry. Cooke’s Crating and Fine Art Transportation was founded in 1975.
Bryan is also an accomplished author. He recently published his book titled, Art Can Kill. Bryan’s book is a fascinating behind-the-scenes eyewitness view of 50 years of art market growth—from quiet beginnings in the early 1970s to the present multi-billion-dollar explosion of Galleries, Museums, Art Fairs, and Auction Houses. Above all, his book is an exploration of art ethics and a love of the creative spirit.
Cooke’s Crating has moved the following Museums
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- J. Paul Getty Museum Permanent Storage
- Getty Research Institute
- Getty Villa Antiquities Collections
- Huntington Museum Historic House and Art Collections
- Long Beach Museum of Art (Twice)
- The CSULB Kleefeld Art Museum
- U.C. Irvine Museum
- The Hammer Museum UCLA
- The UCLA Museum of Cultural History (Fowler Museum) (Twice)
- U.C. Santa Barbara Art Museum
- The Santa Barbara Museum of Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
- The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art
- The California African American Museum
- The USC/Pacific Asia Museum
- The U.S.C Archaeological Collections
- Bob Hope Patriotic Hall Military History Collections
- The Japanese American National Museum
- The Will Rogers Historic House
- Sam Maloof House and Studio
- Charles and Ray Eames Studio and Archives
- The San Gabriel Mission
- The San Fernando Mission
- The Native Sons of the Golden West Museum
- Honnold Library Special Collections
- Los Angeles Central Library Art and Sculptures
- University of Redlands Art Collections
- Frank Gehry Model Archives
- Pio Pico Historic House
- Skirball Cultural Center
- Cal Arts Art Collection
- Occidental College Art Collections
- State of California Historic Wagon Collection
- The California Science Center
Bryan Cooke Affiliations
ARCS: Helped found ARCS in 2011 and named the organization: “Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists”. Provided startup funding and developed the ARCS business and organizational plan. Also raised over $300,000 to finance the organization. Served on the ARCS Advisory Board.
ICEFAT: Cooke’s Crating Is a 35-year member of the “International Convention of Exhibition and Fine Art Transporters.” Bryan Cooke served for 9 years as an ICEFAT Steering Committee member. Bryan helped change ICEFAT into a trade organization representing 80 of the world’s best art services companies. He also wrote the Code of Ethics Rules for the group’s Bylaws. Was Newsletter Editor for 4 years. Served on the membership committee
PACCIN: Bryan was a founding member of PACCIN (Packing and Crating Information Network and served on its Board for 20 years. He served on the Advisory Board assisting PACCIN gain independence from AAM.
