Arches Heritage Data Management Platform

Getty Conservation Institute (GCI)
United States of America

About

Launched: 2013
Record Updated: Nov 11, 2024
Data management planning tool or service
Arches is an open-source data management platform that is freely available for organizations worldwide to install, configure, and extend in accordance with their individual needs and without restrictions on its use. Arches was originally developed for the cultural heritage field by the Getty Conservation Institute and World Monuments Fund. Due to the complex and varied nature of cultural heritage data, and to promote interoperability and sustainable data practices, the Arches Platform has been developed as a standards-based, comprehensive and flexible platform that supports a wide array of uses. The Arches Project has an established international community of developers, service providers, and specialists from multiple domains that collaborates, shares ideas and resources, explores solutions, and provides guidance and support.

Mission

The Arches Project supports the long-term sustainability of the open-source Arches software platform, its use, and effective data management, in service of cultural heritage around the world, and for other uses benefiting the Arches platform and its community.

Key Achievements

In late 2022, the Arches platform was fully internationalized with the release of v7.0. In the second half of 2024, Arches Project released v7.6, an LTS release that includes expanded permissions options, improved performance for search and map rendering, and security improvements among other updates. Another major achievement is the release of the Arches for HERs package (https://www.archesproject.org/arches-for-hers/), providing the UK historic environment record offices with a software platform that is customized to meet their requirements while remaining flexible enough to be valuable to organizations outside of the UK.

Technical Attributes

Maintenance Status

Actively Maintained

Open Code Repository

Implemented

Technical Documentation

Implemented

Code License

Implemented

Open API

Implemented

Open Product Roadmap

Implemented

Technical Attribute Statements

Programming Languages

  • python

Technology Readiness Level

  • Actual system proven in operational environment

Code Licenses Used

  • GNU General Public License (GPL)

Standards

Metadata

GeoJSON; Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Standards; CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM); Linked.Art; Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS)

Hosting Options

  • Through third party vendor only

Service Providers

https://www.archesproject.org/service-providers/

Policies & Governance

Policies

Web Accessibility Statement

Implemented
Applies to Solution

Governance Records

In Progress

Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented

Policy Statements

Board Structure

  • Advisory board or steering committee

Board Level

Works to decide on the strategic and operational requirements and priorities of the Arches Project.

Community Governance

  • Formal

Additional Information

Organizational History

https://www.archesproject.org/archestimeline/

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Non-profit organization

Non-profit Status

501(c)3

Current Affiliations

Getty Conservation Institute
Farallon Geographics

Funding

Primary Funding Source

  • Contributions