Launch of the digital platform ander.ma to document artworks and protect Moroccan visual heritage

In a move to strengthen digital transformation in the cultural sector, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Culture Department) has announced the launch of a new digital platform called ander.ma. According to official reports, this initiative aims to document artworks, track their provenance, verify their authenticity, and contribute to identifying counterfeit pieces while protecting visual creation.

Background and institutional context of ander.ma

The Ministry stated in a press release that this step is part of its efforts to enhance the protection of artistic creation and keep pace with the digital transition taking place in the Kingdom’s cultural sector. The platform is a practical implementation of recommendations from workshops held in 2024 and 2025 at the Public Prosecutor’s Office, involving various relevant institutions.

Mechanisms of operation and visual documentation

The ander.ma platform relies primarily on the contributions of visual artists to build a comprehensive documentary memory of their creations. This is achieved by visually indexing works, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and digital creations.

Furthermore, the platform allows for the inclusion of supporting documents that prove the history of both the artwork and the artist, such as exhibition catalogs, posters, invitations, and press articles. These data points form a reference base used for verification and during art transactions or the issuance of certificates of authenticity.

Reporting system and prevention of art forgery

The new digital platform includes a dedicated system for reporting suspicious works, allowing users to send alerts about potential forgeries to be re-examined based on the available archives. The Ministry of Culture emphasized that ander.ma serves as an essential tool for prevention and assistance, but it does not in any way replace the scientific, technical, or legal expertises necessary to definitively certify the authenticity of artworks.