Restitution & the Benin Bronzes Panel Discussion

The British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin in February 1897 ultimately resulted in the presence of Benin objects in museums outside of Nigeria, predominantly in Europe and the United States. As institutions increasingly consider their responsibility toward these objects, cultural heritage leaders from Nigeria and the United States reflect on pressing questions such as:

• Whose voices shape how restitution is imagined?
• What frameworks are museums using to engage with communities?
• And how can digital tools expand access, honor community voices, and challenge colonial display practices?

The discussion will also introduce Digital Benin, an online platform that brings together all objects currently held in museums worldwide to provide a long-requested overview of the royal artefacts from the Benin Kingdom looted in the late 19th century.

Things to Know:

• There will be time for a Q&A at the end of the program.
• Seating is first come, first served.
  

This panel is the public touchpoint of Conversation Forum on Historic Benin Collections and Restitution in East Coast Museums, an invitation-only workshop for scholars organized by the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Barnes Foundation.

Questions or accommodation requests? Email [email protected].