Issues surrounding items which have been looted, or have been illicitly acquired at some point in their history, are of public interest. It is important that the cultural heritage sector communicates openly about strategies and plans for ensuring that all of the objects in their collections have been acquired legally and ethically.
Public interest often centres on spoliation research into objects without a clear provenance, and on claims for restitution or repatriation. In either case it is good practice to be open and proactive about your organisation’s policies and activities, both through your own media channels and through the press.
If your organisation has received a claim for an object which may have been spoliated, or you discover that an object in your collection has been illicitly traded in the past, there are some basic principles to follow in all of your communication channels which are outlined in this resource.
This press release template is intended as a guide only to be adapted to individual circumstances. It is important to confirm the contents of a press release with all of those involved including a claimant before going to press.