CEPS was conceived by Cultural Exchanges and developed through a human–AI collaboration, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can serve cultural heritage without replacing human judgment.
Cultural Exchanges Provenance Standard (CEPS™)
An Independent Institution for Artwork Provenance, Documentation and Cultural Stewardship
PRESERVING THE PROVENANCE OF ARTWORKS
A trusted institutional framework for documenting, preserving and verifying the history of artworks and cultural records. Built for artists and cultural organisations, with pathways for collectors, researchers and the public.
An artwork may outlive its artist, gallery, collector and even its generation. Its documented history should remain accessible, verifiable and preserved for future generations.
Every artwork begins with an artist. CEPS establishes a permanent connection between creator and creation.
Artwork information, dimensions, medium, creation date and supporting evidence are permanently documented.
Collectors, galleries, museums and institutions become part of the documented history of the artwork.
Future owners, researchers and institutions can verify provenance through CEPS.
HOW CEPS WORKS
CEPS separates documentation, evidence, human provenance review, publication, digital provenance and certification so that each stage has a clear institutional meaning.
Establish the responsible creator or participating institution.
Assign a structured CEPS identity to the artwork.
Capture catalogue information and supporting records.
Assess provenance claims against the evidence available.
Release the approved registry record to the public.
Where authorised, connect the record with versioned digital provenance.
Certification and public verification remain distinct institutional controls.
The Cultural Exchanges Provenance Standard maintains interconnected registries designed for long-term stewardship of artworks.
Permanent institutional identities for registered artists, their biographies, professional history and associated artworks.
Explore →Unique artwork records containing title, medium, dimensions, year, ownership status and institutional identifiers.
Explore →Evidence-based documentation covering ownership, exhibitions, publications, certification and provenance events.
Explore →Institutional certificates issued through CEPS to support trust, documentation and authenticity.
Explore →Public verification using CEPS IDs, Certificate Numbers and Provenance Records.
Explore →Designed for future compatibility with digital provenance technologies, content credentials and institutional partnerships.
CEPS 2.0
New CEPS 2.0 capabilities are being added to the existing CEPS framework without replacing the established registry, provenance or certification system.
Submit an artwork and supporting documents for an evidence-led preliminary investigation.
Start an investigation →Review digital identity, documentary evidence, provenance signals, contradictions and evidence gaps.
Explore intelligence →Move from preliminary intelligence to a human-governed CEPS verification process when appropriate.
Understand the trust model →Connect digital provenance and integrity evidence to the CEPS Artwork Record without treating it as authenticity proof.
C2PA & CEPS →Keep research, documentary evidence and institutional decisions distinct, attributable and auditable.
Explore provenance →See how evidence, intelligence, human review and CEPS decisions work together.
Visit Trust Centre →Locate registered artworks using an Artwork Title, Artist Name, CEPS ID or Certificate Number.
TRUST & GOVERNANCE
A CEPS record is an institutional documentation record. Publication does not by itself mean authenticity certification, and provenance claims are shown separately from the evidence supporting them.
Provenance decisions remain subject to human review and institutional responsibility. AI can assist research and organisation without replacing that judgment.
Our principles →Evidence and provenance claims are distinct. Records can be expanded as new documentary material becomes available.
Understand provenance →CEPS is designed for long-term accessibility of institutional records. Continuity depends on responsible stewardship, infrastructure and preservation practices.
Explore the registry →Public verification resolves stored CEPS records and clearly identifies what a record does—and does not—establish.
Verify a record →A changing selection from artists and artworks verified by CEPS.
A changing selection from the CEPS Historical Knowledge collection.
A live snapshot of the CEPS registry. Verified counts include only records that have passed the applicable CEPS verification requirements; provenance records may include records still undergoing review.
Verified Artists
Verified Artwork Records
Provenance Records
Approved CEPS Certificates
Register your artwork with the Cultural Exchanges Provenance Standard and establish a permanent institutional record for future generations.