A.R.T. Introducing the first International Art Registry System

Finally, a system designed for artists and collectors to track provenance and details for works of art.

The system, Art Registry Technology, will be introduced in 2014 as a call for board members. Whether it will be a non-profit, a not-for-profit, or a for-profit system remains to be seen. The creator and founder is me, or as Miss Piggy would say, Moi.

The idea is not complicated. It will be a database program in which art can be tracked from the day it is released by the artist, for as long as owners report information. After an artist sells or transfers ownership, a certificate will follow the work, like a car title. As ownership transfers, that information will be tracked, recorded and maintained. Such other information as price, name of new owner, address, contact information and most likely a digital image of the piece showing its condition and status.

Currently, data is sketchy at best. We have provenance for very select pieces, usually classics or from certain art disciplines, such as collected works from very well known artists. Art auction houses require provenance, as collectors need to have information to justify purchases of expensive art.

There has to be one place for this information. The system needs to be universal and should be designed by experts and respected professionals who have earned the respect of their peers. Rest assured there will be copy-cat programs and more than one art registry will spring up. Already there are dozens of flaky systems, that are simply money-making devices with no intention other than to generate profit for the owners of the system.

I've worked on a number of non-profit boards. I'm not convinced yet, that the system should be a non-profit or a not-for-profit operation. There are dozens of reasons to protect this system from the politics of an industry. I'm simply jumping in and seeking partners, gallery members, artists, agents, museums and other interested parties to join me in this idea. Where there is a will there is a way!

I've worked as a board member on a trade association livestock registry. The system can be similar. Starting strictly with paintings, this system will be non-exclusive. In other words all works can be tracked, maintaining data of ownership and details.

The final look and feel of A.R.T. will depend on the action as decided by the board. But a group of experts will be responsible for design of the program.