Get Involved
Resources to help you delve deeper into the issues of cultural restitution
Organisations that provide information on issues of cultural restitution
The Institute of Art & Law (IAL)
UK educational organisation, founded in 1995, providing knowledge and perspective on the law relating to cultural heritage
ial.uk.com/
Lootedart.com
The Central Registry and archive focussing on Nazi-looted cultural property 1933-1945, set up to research and resolve outstanding issues following the 1998 Washington Conference
lootedart.com/
Cultural Property News
US website providing opinion, analysis and commentary on US and global restitution issues, with a special focus on how US government and museum policies impact scholarship, trade and public access to art
culturalpropertynews.org/
Culture in Crisis
A free digital resource, launched by the V&A Museum in 2019, that brings together all those with a shared interest in protecting cultural heritage. The Culture in Crisis Portal is the world’s largest and most accessible online database of heritage protection projects.
vam.ac.uk/info/culture-in-crisis/
Museum of Looted Antiquities (MOLA)
A US collaborative effort to preserve, display and study information about the thousands of looted antiquities returned to their countries of origin, in a virtual museum. Its goal is to collect data on all antiquities repatriated globally since 1950.
https://mola.omeka.net/
Trafficking Culture
A research consortium that produces evidence-based research into the contemporary global trade in looted cultural objects
traffickingculture.org/
Media Enquiries
Returning Heritage is used extensively by media channels around the world as a reliable source for information and opinion on cultural restitution issues. As well as providing an invaluable online archive of restitution news, we are not afraid to campaign and express a considered opinion on current restitution issues.
Returning Heritage's managing editor, Lewis McNaught, delivers interviews and commentaries on cultural restitution for major TV and radio channels, including the BBC, ABC and others. He helps make sense of this sensitive and complex debate.
Speaking Engagements
SHOULD WE RETURN COLONIAL LOOT?
Are you in favour of repatriation or retention?
In this illustrated talk you will hear the case both for and against the return of ceremonial, spiritual and domestic objects in Britain's national and regional museums, acquired by force, theft or against the will of their owners during the colonial era.
Then you have the chance to vote on whether a selection of these objects - all currently the subject of requests for repatriation - should be returned to their country or community of origin. Is your mind made up or will you change your mind when presented with the evidence?
This talk is a unique opportunity for you to engage with a topical issue of enormous significance and sensitivity. The talk is given by Returning Heritage's managing editor, Lewis McNaught.
Contact us for more information. We look forward to making your event a great success!
ENQUIRIES
To enquire about how we can share our knowledge and insights with your group
or email info@returningheritage.com
"Now is a critical moment for the restitution debate. Governments across Europe are leaning in the direction of full repatriation for objects stolen during the colonial era. In the absence of any legally-binding international legislation, will Britain's government follow their lead? Are Britain's museums prepared for a new moral and ethical approach to returning contested objects in their collections? There's a huge amount at stake."
Lewis McNaught
Editor, ReturningHeritage.com
