Turn and Face the Change Conservation in the 21st Century #IconTF16

Welcome by Chair of Icon’s
Board of Trustees
Welcome to Icon’s third triennial conference
in the great surroundings of Conference Aston
in Birmingham.
The conference is set to deliver a packed programme
of speakers offering a wealth of presentations that
will question accepted practices, explore how science
and technology can contribute to our knowledge and
provide insights into developing practice.
The arena is set for conservators within every
discipline and the wider heritage profession to come
together to share skills, knowledge and understanding.
I hope that the conference will stimulate debate,
expand our horizons and offer some possibilities
for how the modern conservation can rise to the
challenges of the 21st century.
As we consider the fast moving pace of change in the
creative and cultural sectors, it also provides a chance
to pause, take stock, and to explore how conservation
of our past can make a vital contribution to our future.
This is an important opportunity for us to focus on the
value of conservation and how we can bring that to
the attention of decision makers, advocates and
the wider public.
Whether you are an experienced conservation
professional or are active in the wider heritage sector,
please enjoy your experiences in the coming days and
return home from Icon 2016 informed, engaged,
and above all inspired.
Welcome by Director of BMT
I am delighted that Icon is working with Birmingham
Museums Trust to bring the third triennial conference
to Birmingham. Like many other cities, Birmingham
has been undergoing a period of unprecedented
change. In 2012 the City Council established its
museum service as an educational charity. The Trust’s
independent status has enabled us to adjust to the
rapid decline in public funding for arts and culture
by becoming more responsive and entrepreneurial.
Birmingham Museums Trust now generates over 60%
of its own income, our visitor numbers are rising and
we are attracting more diverse audiences.
The Trust is fortunate in being one of very few
museums in the West Midlands to have a
conservation department. Our award-winning team
are active across many areas, including research,
volunteer programming and professional
development. As a consequence the Trust and
department are committed to supporting Icon
and the professional standards it represents.
I look forward to attending the conference and
discovering how the conservation profession is facing
and adapting to the changes that these challenging
times are providing.
Dr Ellen McAdam
Director of Birmingham Museum Trust
Siobhan Stevenson ACR
Chair of Icon’s Board of Trustees
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