COST Action CA24129 European Cooperation in Science & Technology Funded by the European Union · 2025–2029
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Training School WG2 · Software-based art & ownership YRI eligible Language: EN

Collecting and Preserving Blockchain-Based Art.

A 1.5-day training school offering an accessible, practice-oriented introduction to blockchain-based art and its implications for museum work. Hosted by WG2 at ZKM Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe.
Dates
11 – 12 May 2026
Venue
Lecture Hall ZKM, Karlsruhe (DE)
Format
In-person · 1.5 days
Attended
18 of 20 places
View outcomes ↓
Cover image
At a glance
- publications · - dataset · - certificates issued
All materials open-access in the EMBARK Knowledge Base.
Hosted by
EMBARK WG2 & HEK / ZKM
In cooperation with the House of Electronic Arts Basel and the ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe.
About the programme

Three threads, one collection question.

The programme situates blockchain technologies within contemporary art practice, exploring how artists work with NFTs and related infrastructures. Participants gain insight into the development of an institutional NFT collection, including its historical context and curatorial motivations.
It addresses preservation strategies for blockchain-based artworks (their specific technical dependencies and how these can be identified, managed and mitigated over time) and the legal dimensions of collecting NFTs: what it means for a museum to acquire a blockchain-based artwork, the rights and responsibilities involved, and the additional measures institutions should consider when integrating such works.
Curatorial
Institutional NFT collecting in context
Technical
Preservation strategies & dependencies
Legal
Acquisition, rights, exhibition, custody

Day-by-day schedule

Monday, 11 May 2026 ZKM Lecture Hall
09:00
Coffee
09:30 – 10:15
Introduction to the Training School Claudia Roeck, Boban Joksimoski
10:15 – 11:15
Web3, a 'decentralised dream': blockchain for art projects Isabella Maund, Ugo Pecoraio (HEK)
11:15 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 11:50
Blockchain terminology Boban Joksimoski
11:50 – 12:30
Q&A Boban, Isabella, Ugo
12:30 – 14:00
Lunch (individually) ZKM café closed Mondays
14:00 – 14:45
History of ZKM's NFT collection — selected examples Daniel Heiss (ZKM)
14:45 – 15:00
Break
15:00 – 15:45
Preservation of NFTs · part 1 Daniel Heiss, Claudia Roeck
15:45 – 16:05
Break
16:05 – 16:50
Preservation of NFTs · part 2 Daniel Heiss, Claudia Roeck
16:50 – 17:10
Discussion / Questions
17:10 – 17:30
Art and Tezos Aleksandra Artamonovskaja
evening
Group dinner (optional) A restaurant will be reserved

Trainers

See all on the Network page
01
Claudia Roeck
Leader, EMBARK WG2 · Time-based media conservator, HEK & Kunstmuseum Basel
02
Boban Joksimoski
Vice leader, EMBARK WG2 · Ss. Cyril and Methodius Univ., FCSE
03
Isabella Maund
Museum education & outreach, HEK
04
Ugo Pecoraio
Communication, HEK · independent curator for digital art
05
Daniel Heiss
Software developer, curator & conservator for blockchain-based art, ZKM
06
Aleksandra Artamonovskaja
Head of Arts, Trilitech (Tezos blockchain ecosystem)
07
Freyja van den Boom
Researcher, University of Antwerp · law, ethics & governance of emerging tech

What came out of this event.

Blog

Collecting and Preserving Blockchain-Based Art: EMBARK WG2 Training School at ZKM Karlsruhe

Pre-print

Two days, in pictures.

A selection of moments from the workshop, lectures and group dinner. Photos by EMBARK members under CC BY 4.0.

Carry the conversation forward.

Conference

EMBARK Public Conference. Museo Reina Sofía, Madrid

16 – 18 Mar 2027 · Madrid
Details
Working Group

WG2: Software-based Art & Ownership

Ongoing
Visit the WG2 page