Cookie Policy

Understanding How We Use Cookies and Similar Technologies

The African Portrait Gallery (“APG,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies to support the proper functioning of this website, improve user experience, protect the platform, and better understand how visitors interact with our digital spaces.

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how APG may use them, how third-party services may use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.

By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies as described in this Cookie Policy, unless you disable them through your browser settings or any available cookie preference tools.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, tablet, phone, or other device when you visit a website. They help the website recognize your device, remember certain information about your visit, and support basic site functionality.

Cookies may be temporary, lasting only for your browsing session, or persistent, remaining on your device for a set period of time unless deleted.

2. How APG Uses Cookies

APG may use cookies and similar technologies for several website-related purposes, including basic operation, security, form functionality, analytics, user experience, and performance improvement.

A. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are necessary for the basic operation, security, and usability of the website. These cookies help the website function properly and may support:

• Navigation and page functionality;
• Form submissions, including “Join APG,” “Partner with Us,” “Support Us,” “Submit a Profile,” and related forms;
• Security, spam prevention, and access control;
• Remembering temporary session activity;
• Basic website loading and technical performance.

Because these cookies are necessary for the website to function, they may not be fully disabled through APG’s website controls. However, you may still manage them through your browser settings.

B. Performance and Analytics Cookies

Performance and analytics cookies help APG understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies may collect general usage information such as:

• Pages visited;
• Time spent on the site;
• Traffic sources;
• General visitor behavior;
• Device, browser, and usage patterns;
• Website performance and loading issues.

This information helps APG improve website structure, content, performance, accessibility, navigation, and user experience.

C. Functional Cookies

Functional cookies allow the website to remember certain preferences or choices you may make while using the site. These may support:

• Remembering selected preferences;
• Improving user convenience;
• Supporting enhanced page features;
• Maintaining a smoother browsing experience.

D. Security and Anti-Spam Cookies

APG may use cookies or similar technologies to help protect the website from spam, abuse, unauthorized access, fraudulent activity, bot submissions, and other security risks.

These technologies may be used in connection with website security tools, form protection systems, login areas, firewalls, or anti-spam services.

E. Embedded Content and Media Cookies

Some APG pages may include embedded content such as videos, maps, social media feeds, payment tools, forms, or other external media. Embedded content from third-party platforms may behave as if you visited the third-party website directly.

Such third-party platforms may place cookies on your device, collect usage information, or track your interaction with embedded content according to their own policies.

3. Third-Party Cookies

APG may use trusted third-party services to support website functionality, analytics, security, forms, media display, email systems, payment processing, embedded content, or other operational needs.

These third-party services may place cookies or similar technologies on your device. Such services may include, where applicable:

• Website hosting providers;
• Analytics tools;
• Security and anti-spam services;
• Embedded video, image, or media platforms;
• Social media platforms;
• Email marketing or communication tools;
• Donation, payment, or form-processing services.

These third parties operate under their own privacy and cookie policies. APG does not control the cookie practices, tracking methods, data collection, or privacy policies of third-party platforms.

4. Managing Cookies

You may control, block, delete, or disable cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View stored cookies;
• Delete existing cookies;
• Block cookies entirely;
• Block third-party cookies;
• Set preferences for specific websites;
• Receive alerts before cookies are stored.

Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality, security, usability, or performance of certain parts of the APG website, including forms, login areas, embedded features, donation tools, or interactive functions.

5. Cookie Consent

Where required by applicable law, APG may provide a cookie notice, cookie banner, or cookie preference tool allowing users to accept, reject, or manage certain categories of cookies.

If such a tool is available, your selected preferences may be stored to help APG remember your cookie choices during future visits.

6. Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, APG or third-party services may use similar technologies such as pixels, tags, scripts, local storage, session storage, analytics identifiers, or tracking tools.

These technologies may help measure website performance, understand visitor behavior, improve security, support embedded media, or enhance user experience.

7. Updates to This Cookie Policy

APG may update this Cookie Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, website functionality, third-party services, legal requirements, or institutional practices.

The most current version of this Cookie Policy will be made available on this page. Continued use of the website after updates are posted indicates acceptance of the revised Cookie Policy.

8. Contact Information

For questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact:

African Portrait Gallery (APG)
Email: info@africanportraitgallery.org

Final Note

The African Portrait Gallery uses cookies and similar technologies to maintain a functional, secure, accessible, and user-friendly website. This Cookie Policy exists to help visitors understand how such technologies support APG’s digital platform and how users may manage their preferences.