A brief overview
DARCA is a free online ethics tool designed to help people think carefully about whether there is a strong moral case for returning a cultural artefact in a particular situation. Rather than telling users what decision to make, DARCA asks a structured set of questions that reflect issues widely discussed in existing ethical guidance and academic research. These questions are intended to help users work through the moral considerations involved, make their reasoning clearer, and record how they reached their conclusions.
DARCA is primarily designed for museum trustees and professionals, but it may also be useful for potential claimants, researchers, students, policymakers, and members of the public who want to better understand how ethical decisions about restitution can be approached.
How was DARCA developed?
The decision aid was developed by members of the Uehiro Oxford Institute and the Institute for Art and Law, in collaboration with several external contributors with experience of restitution cases or relevant expertise in ethics or policy-making.
The initial interdisciplinary workshop that provided the foundation for this project was funded by the Oxford Policy Engagement Network, and the participation of some members was funded by ANTITHESES: The Discovery Platform for Transformative Inclusivity in Ethics and Humanities Research (grant number 226801)
Why was DARCA developed?
Museums already follow guidance on how to handle restitution claims, including advice on gathering evidence, involving relevant stakeholders, and being open about decision-making. In England, for example, Arts Council England has published widely used guidance on restitution and repatriation.
DARCA does not replace this guidance. Instead, it focuses on a related question: how to think through the moral issues themselves once the relevant evidence has been gathered from historical sources and from relevant stakeholders. In practice, decision-makers must often balance competing responsibilities. How important is the object to the claimant? How did the museum acquire it? What role does it play in public education and access? Would returning it lead to better care, understanding, or context? DARCA was created to help users consider these questions in a consistent, structured, and thoughtful way.
For more information and to use the decision tool, please visit the DARCA website.
Go to DARCA website
