Culture Crimes: The Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation

Cultural heritage crimes are not just about stolen artifacts—they are about stolen history, security, and identity. On November 12, 2024, Meridian’s latest Cultural Diplomacy Salon, Culture Crimes: The Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation, explored the global scale of art trafficking and its ties to organized crime, cultural erasure, and international security. This event was generously underwritten by Lugano as part of the Cultural Diplomacy Salon Series. As the evening’s moderator Deborah Lehr, Founder and Chairman of The Antiquities Coalition stated, “When we lose cultural heritage, we lose pieces of our shared humanity.”  

The panel featured experts directly tackling these crimes firsthand, including Jessica Dittmer, a special agent on the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Dittmer discussed recent FBI Art Crime cases, highlighting recovered manuscripts, sculptures, and even looted artifacts from Baghdad that were discovered in Atlanta. She emphasized the need for ethical practices across the art market, noting how auction houses, sometimes unknowingly involved, are increasing their collaboration with law enforcement to return stolen items.  

Beyond investigations, technology is reshaping the fight against artifact trafficking. Dittmer highlighted the use of AI and satellite imagery to trace stolen artifacts, often in collaboration with foreign governments. Dr. Richard Kurin, Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, emphasized that partnerships extend beyond tech solutions. For instance, he noted how Uber played a key role in helping Ukrainian conservators transport artifacts under Russian attack. These efforts illustrate how modern solutions, collaboration, and even unexpected partnerships are required to protect cultural heritage under threat.   

Dr. Kurin also brought attention to the destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine, where Russian forces are deliberately targeting Ukrainian history, echoing scenes he witnessed in Iraq’s Mosul Museum, where ISIS had destroyed and looted priceless artifacts. “I never thought I’d look at a museum as a crime scene,” he reflected, underscoring the alarming reality that cultural sites are now active targets for devastation and trafficking in conflict zones. Today, through the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative founded by Dr. Kurin, the Smithsonian trains NATO forces and others to preserve heritage in war zones, emphasizing that protecting cultural sites sustains not just history, but the resilience of communities.  

Tess Davis, Executive Director of The Antiquities Coalition, also stressed that cultural crimes are not limited to war zones, explaining how complex and often contradictory national and international laws hinder the fight against trafficking. In the U.S., laws like the National Stolen Property Act—originally aimed at criminals like Bonnie and Clyde—have been adapted to target trafficked artifacts. However, Davis urged countries to develop robust legislation, strengthen international treaties, and leverage cultural diplomacy to combat artifact trafficking and cultural heritage crimes. 

Media and public awareness also play critical roles in supporting the legitimacy of the art market. Cases like the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s recent recovery of a looted Egyptian sarcophagus, linked in part to a viral Kim Kardashian photo, demonstrates the need for careful provenance checks of artifacts. Dittmer stressed that verification relies on detailed records and expertise, with cross-sector collaboration key to deterring illegal trades. 

The salon’s expert panelists collectively highlighted the need for global cooperation, the increased use of advanced technology, and dedicated partnerships to protect cultural heritage. From AI-driven artifact tracking to public engagement and cultural diplomacy, safeguarding cultural heritage requires an international commitment. As countries like Ukraine and Iraq face ongoing threats to their cultural heritage, the evening’s panelists delivered a clear message: the world must act now to protect the artifacts that connect us to our shared past to ensure a prosperous future. 

This Program Was Generously Underwritten by

Project summary

Culture Crimes: The Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation | November 2024
Impact Areas:	Cultural Diplomacy
Program Areas:	Culture