Art Recovery International Launches Global Database to Protect Cultural Heritage

Art Recovery International (ARI) announced today launch of Artive, a new non-profit organization formed with the aim of protecting and preserving the world’s cultural heritage through technological means.

Artive will serve as the first non-for-profit to identify claims in regards to artworks, and will consolidate the seemingly-limitless amount of information about at-risk, stolen, looted, and destroyed works of art and cultural property. The organization will function as an expansion of Artclaim, ARI’s pre-existing database project.

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“By providing a central, not-for-profit data resource,” the press release states,” Artive will create a new permanent platform preserving cultural heritage for present and future generations.”

Though headquartered in the US, the non-profit seeks to stretch its reach throughout the globe, and is encouraging “cultural institutions, law enforcement agencies, intergovernmental bodies, and all holders and custodians of data worldwide” to use the archival system, branded as “the most technologically advanced and agile collection management tool in the world.”

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Christopher A. Marinello, head of ARI, will continue in his chief role that specializes in Nazi-era restitution, provenance analysis, and title disputes. He will serve on Artive’s advisory board.

As the destruction of cultural heritage becomes more prevalent worldwide, Artive arrives in a timely fashion. “We believe in the power of community to solve problems by sharing information,” said CEO Jason Sousa.

“Together, we can create and manage the world’s most comprehensive public database to protect and preserve cultural heritage today, tomorrow and for generations to come.”