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ART & ANTIQUITIES BLOCKCHAIN CONSORTIUM INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 852744102 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A99 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · aabconsortium.org
revenue
$4K
expenses
$70K
net assets
$35K
employees
0
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE CORPORATION IS FORMED ARE TO ENGAGE IN SUCH EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL,SCIENTIFIC,OR RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER AS QUALIFY IT FOR EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION UNDER SECTION 501(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 (THE "CODE")OR ANY SUCCESSOR SECTION OR STATUTE OF SIMILAR IMPORT, AS AN ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(C) (3) OF THE CODE &, IN PARTICULAR,THE CORPORATION, BELIEVING THAT CULTURAL ARTIFACTS, CULTURAL PROPERTY, & CULTURAL HERITAGE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANTIQUITIES, REQUIRE ENHANCED PROTECTION AGAINST FRAUD, MISUSE, & SECRECY, AIMS TO (1) DEVELOP A NEW OWNERSHIP OF CATALOGUING PARADIGM FOR SUCH OBJECTS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCESS,PRESERVE & PROTECT PROVENANCE AND RELEVANT HISTORICAL FACTS, PROTECT CULTURAL STAKEHOLDERS, & ENHANCE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL, (2)EDUCATE STAKEHOLDERS AS TO THE NEW PARADIGM & RELATED ISSUES OF LOOTING & ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING.

profile · synthesized from sources

Art & Antiquities Blockchain Consortium Inc. (AABC) is a nonprofit organization leveraging blockchain technology to address cultural heritage disputes, repatriation, and provenance transparency. It collaborates with museums, universities, and source communities to develop ethical, inclusive models for cultural artifact stewardship. The organization focuses on education, technological innovation, and multi-stakeholder governance to transform ownership paradigms in the arts and antiquities sector.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $0
    THE HARVARD ART MUSEUMS WAS A PUBLIC PROGRAM WITH PROFESSSOR AMY WHITAKER AND ARTIST KEVIN MCCOY. THE NEXT DAY WAS A WORKSHOP FOR INVITED PARTICIPANTS TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT NEW MODELS OF REPATRIATION.
  2. #2 $64K
    ON THIS LAND IS A PROJECT THAT ENDEAVORS TO ILLUMINATE UNTOLD HISTORIES AND ENVISION ALTERNATIVE FUTURES FOR THE LANDSCAPE OF PUBLIC REMEMBRANCE BY FABRICATING SITE MARKERS EQUIPPED WITH THE CAPACITY TO STORE ARCHIVAL MATERIALS AND RECORD PERSONAL HISTORIES USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Blockchain for Social Impact
Incubation program supporting the development of blockchain applications and white papers addressing social and environmental challenges in cultural heritage
MIRA
Collaborative project with MIRA Imaging and Spelman College Art Museum to develop high-quality digital twins and NFTs for authentication of cultural objects using blockchain technology
On This Land
Project fabricating site markers equipped with blockchain technology to store archival materials and personal histories, aiming to illuminate untold histories and reshape public remembrance landscapes
Spelman College x AUC Collective Virtual Salon
Month-long virtual program introducing blockchain technology to students and faculty, exploring its applications in art, repatriation, and collections management
Wake Forest University Hackathon
Interdisciplinary research project culminating in a 24-hour hackathon where students developed blockchain-based solutions for cultural property ownership and repatriation challenges
activities · 2 groups

What they do

  • Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 5 activities
    • Advocating for open and inclusive blockchain standards in cultural heritage
      Advocates for platform- and vendor-agnostic blockchain standards and inclusive solutions to cultural heritage disputes through dialogue with global stakeholders. Promotes ethical frameworks for ownership and repatriation using blockchain technology.
    • Conducting empirical research on blockchain applications for cultural heritage
      Conducts pioneering research on blockchain-based solutions for cultural property ownership, authenticity, and stewardship, including collaborations with National Museums Liverpool, Wake Forest University, and the Lam Museum of Anthropology. Produced one of the first empirical studies on blockchain implementation in museums and supported student-led research through hackathons and incubation initiatives.
    • Developing educational programs and curricula on blockchain technology
      Co-develops and teaches interdisciplinary courses and virtual salons on blockchain fundamentals, including a month-long program for Spelman College and the AUC Collective, a curricular initiative with Wake Forest University, and an elective at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Provides co-curriculum design and guest speakers to integrate blockchain into academic study of provenance and repatriation.
    • Facilitating public programs and exhibitions on blockchain and cultural heritage
      Hosts public programs, workshops, and exhibitions that explore new models of repatriation and stewardship using blockchain technology. Examples include a program at Harvard Art Museums and collaboration with Spelman College on virtual exhibitions integrating African Diaspora art and blockchain.
    • Supporting student innovation in blockchain for cultural repatriation
      Incubates student-led blockchain projects through the Blockchain for Social Impact initiative, including development of a prototype application and white paper with the winning team from the Wake Forest University hackathon. Guided three student capstone projects at the Spelman Museum of Art integrating blockchain into provenance research.
  • Oral History Collection and Preservation 1 activity
    • Creating blockchain-enhanced site markers for public remembrance
      Develops physical and digital site markers using blockchain technology to store archival materials and personal histories, supporting community-based research and reinterpretation of historical landscapes. Implemented through the “On This Land” project to illuminate untold histories and foster inclusive narratives.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4K
Contributions & grants$4K91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$3809%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$70K
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$35K
Cash$35K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$35K
Liquid reserves6.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -96.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 9
  • AMY WHITAKER — CO-VICE-PRES/DIRECTOR
  • ANNE BRACEGIRDLE — CO-PRES./DIRECTOR
  • DR CHERYL FINLEY — DIRECTOR
  • FIONA GREENLAND — CO-VICE-PRES/DIRECTOR
  • LEES ROMANO — DIRECTOR
  • LENA SALTOS — SECRETARY/DIRECTOR
  • MICHELLE GITLITZ — TREASURER
  • SUSAN DE MENIL — CO-PRES./DIRECTOR
  • VANESSA GRELLET — DIRECTOR
relationships · 40

Who they work with

  • Albertine Partner — One of France’s international cultural advocacy foundations led by Bénédicte de Montlaur
  • Art & Antiquities Blockchain Consortium Network — Member organization focused on uniting stakeholders in cultural heritage through blockchain technology.
  • Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective Partner — Cheryl Finley is director of this consortium program
  • Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective Partner — Co-developed a month-long virtual salon to introduce blockchain technology to students and faculty.
  • Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective Partner — Co-led a virtual salon on blockchain technology with AABC and Spelman College.
  • Blockchain for Social Impact Partner — Partnered to incubate a student-developed blockchain prototype for cultural repatriation.
  • Byzantine Fresco Foundation Partner — Organization led by Susan de Menil to oversee the conservation and repatriation of frescoes from the Church at Lysi in Cyprus.
  • ConsenSys Partner — Sponsored the 24-hour hackathon event at Wake Forest University.
  • Cornell University Partner — Cheryl Finley is on leave from position as associate professor
  • Cultural Heritage Partners Partner — Thomas Kline is a partner at this law firm
  • FACE Partner — One of France’s international cultural advocacy foundations led by Bénédicte de Montlaur
  • French Embassy in the United States Government — Bénédicte de Montlaur served as Cultural Counselor
  • French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government — Bénédicte de Montlaur served as senior diplomat for two decades
  • Gagosian Partner — Ashley Overbeek is Director of Strategic Initiatives
  • George Washington University Partner — Thomas Kline is an Adjunct Professorial Lecturer in the Museum Studies Program
  • Harvard Art Museums Partner — Collaborated on a public program and workshop focused on new models of repatriation.
  • Lam Museum of Anthropology Partner — Collaborated on developing blockchain-based solutions for cultural heritage problems at IdeasCityWS.
  • Lam Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University Partner — Collaborates on developing new blockchain-based approaches to ownership of ethnographic objects and artifacts.
  • MIRA Imaging Partner — Collaborated on a prototype digital imaging project using high-quality scans and NFTs for authentication.
  • McKinsey & Company Partner — Ashley Overbeek previously worked as Senior Business Analyst
  • Menil Collection Partner — Hosted a symposium co-organized by Susan de Menil that formed the basis for the book Sanctuary: The Spirit In/Of Architecture.
  • Microsoft Partner — Sponsored the 24-hour hackathon event at Wake Forest University.
  • National Museums Liverpool Partner — Collaborated with Frances Liddell on empirical research implementing blockchain in museums.
  • New York Life Investments Partner — Amanda Gallagher is Head of Technology Strategy
  • Sotheby’s Institute of Art Partner — Frances Liddell teaches the 'Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies & NFTs' course elective at this institution.
  • Spelman College Partner — Cheryl Finley serves as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Art History
  • Spelman College Art Museum Partner — Collaborated on a prototype digital imaging project using high-quality scans and NFTs for authentication.
  • Spelman College Department of Art & Visual Culture Partner — Co-developed a month-long virtual salon to introduce blockchain technology to students and faculty.
  • Spelman College Department of Art & Visual Culture Partner — Collaborated to develop a virtual salon on blockchain technology and support student curatorial projects.
  • Spelman College Museum of Art Partner — Collaborated on a project to study an African object and integrate technology into provenance and repatriation education.
+ 10 more
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Blockchain-Based Provenance & Authentication
    methodology: blockchain_for_provenance
    By using blockchain technology, digital twins, and NFTs to create immutable records of cultural artifacts, the organization enhances authentication, preserves provenance, and prevents fraud, because permanent digital documentation ensures verifiable ownership and integrity even as physical objects degrade or change hands.
  • Distributed Cultural Institutions via Web3
    methodology: distributed_museum
    By leveraging web3 and blockchain technologies, the organization enables a distributed museum model that decentralizes access and control, because shifting authority from centralized institutions to networked communities fosters equity, digital reciprocation, and broader public engagement with cultural heritage.
  • Inclusive, Collaborative Stewardship Models
    methodology: non_zero_sum_stewardship
    By designing blockchain-based ownership and stewardship systems that incorporate shared governance, smart contracts, and non-zero-sum frameworks, the organization enables equitable cultural heritage management, because inclusive models empower diverse stakeholders and support repatriation, co-ownership, and long-term guardianship.
  • Interdisciplinary & Stakeholder-Centered Design
    methodology: interdisciplinary_investigation
    By integrating legal, technical, and humanities expertise with stakeholder education, the organization develops culturally responsive blockchain solutions, because multidisciplinary collaboration ensures that technological interventions are ethically grounded, socially viable, and effective in addressing looting, trafficking, and inequitable access.