We finally figured out that the simpler our art storage system was, the more likely we were to use it. Professional artists and curators store artwork in flat files--great chests of wide, shallow drawers--and in portfolios. Since even secondhand flat files are expensive, portfolios make the most sense for fledgling artists. For about $16, you can buy a 20- by 26-inch cardboard portfolio, with inner flaps to keep the dust out and the artwork in, and strong ties on three sides. The one we use expands to 1 inch thick, which (if we are conservative) will provide enough room for Nick's drawings for years. The portfolio easily fits behind the couch or under the bed.

I label each piece of artwork in pencil at the bottom with the child's name, age or grade in school, and the subject, as told by the artist (Shark Eating Monster or Paris in Spring). If you really want it to look professional, or if you're anticipating a show at the Guggenheim, jot down the type of media.

To keep pencil, charcoal and pastels from rubbing away, use a spray-on fixative. Ask for help at your local art store in choosing the right can for the job. If you know a favorite piece of art is going to chip and eventually fall apart (finger paint has this tendency), take it to a copy shop to make an image for your archives. Curators and artists also avoid the use of regular tape and glue on artwork, because it will eventually yellow, ruin the art or fall off. If you need to attach anything to a piece of art that you want to keep forever, use archival tape, glue and labels, available in art supply stores.

Artists who work in three-dimensional media photograph their work and save the slides or photographs in a book--not a bad idea for children's somewhat ephemeral sculptures. If you want to be more formal, you can dedicate a special photo album to their artwork. You might also consider photographing each artist holding his work so you'll have a visual record of how old your child was when he made his sculptures.