Res. No. 733
Resolution calling on the New York State Senate to pass S.10107 and the Governor to sign A.8192C/ S.10107, requiring that arts and cultural institutions display signage regarding the provenance of art and artifacts from the transatlantic and domestic slave trade
By Council Member Williams
Whereas, New York City (NYC) is home to many arts and cultural institutions, which attract millions of visitors from all over the world each year to view the exhibitions presented in museums, galleries, and other venues; and
Whereas, It is important that visitors to those arts and cultural institutions understand the provenance of any art and artifacts that have come from times and conditions that were inhumane or destructive of the lives or cultures of individuals, groups of people, or societies; and
Whereas, One such time was during the transatlantic and domestic slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries, with its peak between 1700 and 1870; and
Whereas, A.8192C, which was introduced by State Assembly Member Nikki Lucas and passed by the State Assembly on June 4, 2026, would focus on museums that display art and artifacts created before 1900, including those “created using metal materials used in the exchange for enslaved human captives” and those that “changed hands due to theft, seizure, confiscation, forced sale or other involuntary means in Africa or the United States” during the transatlantic slave period through Reconstruction (approximately 1500-1875); and
Whereas, A.8192C would require that, “to the extent practicable,” museums “prominently place a placard or other suitable signage” alongside their art and artifacts from this time period to acknowledge information about their provenance; and
Whereas, Companion bill S.10107, introduced on April 29, 2026, by State Senator Lea Webb, would call for the same requirement for museums; and
Whereas, According to the justification in support of S.10107, requiring museums to display such signage would promote “transparency, accountability, and historical accuracy” on the part of museums as they present their exhibitions; and
Whereas, Further, the justification notes that requiring museums to provide this background for their art and artifacts would ensure that museum-goers could more fully “understand the conditions under which these items were created and acquired, while recognizing the contributions and experiences of the original creators”; and
Whereas, A.8192C/ S.10107 would require museums to present a more “complete and truthful account” of the histories they are telling through their exhibitions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Senate to pass S.10107 and the Governor to sign A.8192C/ S.10107, requiring that arts and cultural institutions display signage regarding the provenance of art and artifacts from the transatlantic and domestic slave trade.
LS #26159
10/28/2026
RHP