Around the World in 365 Days: 2021 Annual Report
In honor of World Heritage Day, the Antiquities Coalition looks back at our progress in 2021.
Preserving World Heritage, Strengthening Global Security
To protect our shared heritage and global security, the Antiquities Coalition (AC) is leading the international campaign against cultural racketeering, the illicit trade in ancient art and artifacts. We champion better law and policy, foster diplomatic cooperation, and advance proven solutions with public and private partners worldwide. We are working towards a future when the past is preserved for the next generation, not looted, smuggled, and sold to finance crime, conflict, and terror.
In honor of World Heritage Day, travel with us around the world as we look back at the work we have done over 2021 to continue to help safeguard cultural heritage from crime, conflict, and terrorism.
2021 Highlights
“Experts Urge G20 to Tackle Illicit Antiquities Trade – An international coalition of experts has released a new report detailing nine steps the G20 should take in order to crack down on the trade of illicit antiquities. The recommendations for strengthening global policy include creating a roadmap to tackle the problem on a national and international level and identifying and strengthening weak links.” -Feature in ArtNet News Weekly’s “Movers and Shakers”
In Images: The Antiquities Coalition is spearheading an international effort to support the Group of 20 as it tackles transnational crime in the global art market, still the largest unregulated market in the world.
“By applying anti-money laundering protections to antiquities dealers, Congress has taken an important first step to fight back, but this is just a first step. There is much more the U.S. government can—and should—do in partnership with the private sector to combat criminal misuse of the art market.” Deborah Lehr
In Images: The Antiquities Coalition has been the key voice advocating to protect the American art market from misuse by criminals, which is greatly at risk as highlighted by the Rotenberg case.
“‘Accusations against Latchford … have been a matter of legal record for nearly 10 years now,’ said Tess Davis, a lawyer, archaeologist and the executive director of the Antiquities Coalition, an organization that campaigns against the trafficking of cultural artifacts. ‘Museum leaders have had more than enough time to do the right thing. Instead, there is deafening silence.’” Tess Davis, The Washington Post
In Images: The Latchford coverage—which made front page headlines on multiple continents, including The Washington Post, BBC , Guardian , Süddeutsche Zeitung , ABC Australia , French News 24 , Business Insider Magazine , Hyperallergic , The Hill , and others —built on years of independent research and outside collaborations by the Antiquities Coalition and our team.
Our work took us around the world this year (even from our home offices!)
2021 in Review
Our Good Governance
In 2021, we continued to be recognized as a tax-exempt charitable organization. From the beginning, the AC's not-for-profit work has been dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage through advocacy, research, and practical solutions. Last year, we celebrated our fifth anniversary, marking the milestone released a new “Story Map” illustrating our work to date and why it is needed more than ever. We were also proud to earn the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, demonstrating our commitment to good governance, transparency, and full accountability.
We earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, demonstrating our commitment to good governance, transparency, and full accountability.
Our Team
This year, we expanded our small team to include Communications Associate Nora Malatinszky and Executive Assistant Parker Blackwell. We also grew our internship program and outreach, and hosted 15 interns over Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2021.
Support Our Work
By supporting the Antiquities Coalition, you are actively combating the looters, black marketeers, and war profiteers who treat our shared heritage as a commodity to fund reprehensible criminal behavior. Your generosity leads to solutions. And you are making a difference.
Your gift directly supports our solutions-driven programs to protect cultural heritage.
Although much has been irrevocably lost, much still remains to be saved. For a fraction of the auction price of a single antiquity, we have a chance to preserve so much of what it threatened our entire civilization. But we can’t do it without you.
Join us in being a part of the solution.
Continue the journey.
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