Dear INCCA members and colleagues all over the world,
In January the INCCA Steering Committee held its annual meeting at the Tate in London. As usual the meeting was fruitful and above all enjoyable. Nothing beats a face-to-face exchange with a bunch of smart and good-natured museum professionals; one of the many things I look forward to at the IIC congress in 2016.
The cheerful atmosphere of the meeting, was however somewhat tinged. Before his first lecture of the season at New York University, we had the opportunity (via Skype) to bid farewell to committee member Glenn Wharton who has decided to step down. Since joining the committee in November 2005, Glenn played an crucial part in ensuring the growth and professionalisation of INCCA. Glenn’s hard-work and determination led to the establishment of INCCA – North America. It was no surprise then, that he was awarded the 2014 College Art Association / Heritage Preservation Award for Distinction in Scholarship and Conservation. Glenn is not only conscientious, he is also a great motivator and teacher. His thoughtful insights will be missed on the committee. It has been a privilege and a joy to work with him. Many thanks to Glenn!
While on the subject of great men in conservation, no doubt you have heard about the film The Monuments Men. Actor George Clooney directed and starred in the film. His character, Frank Stokes, is inspired by George Leslie Stout
(1897 – 1978), an American art conservation specialist and museum director who was part of the US Army unit tasked
with recovering art during the war. After the war, Stout was instrumental in the founding of the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) and was its first president from 1950 – 53.
Certainly not a classic, the film is entertaining and makes for a good evening out. More importantly it is great that that such a significant story is being made accessible to a wide audience. Viewers will certainly come away with an understanding of the amount of care and hard-work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure our cultural heritage is enjoyed for generations to come. Being a George Clooney fan, the question that haunted me during the film was; can we get George to come to the IIC congress for a face-to-face with the monuments men and women of today? One can only hope.
Karen te Brake-Baldock, INCCA Central Coordinator