The Marsh Conservation Awards returned to Icon for a second year at Icon24: Conservation for Change at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
The conservation of objects and collections protects the things people value.
From cherished family heirlooms to national treasures, the practice of conservation encompasses artworks, books and archives, textiles, architecture and archaeology as well as industrial, natural and social history collections. Whether they are held by museums, heritage organisations, private collectors or public bodies, these objects form our collective history and culture.
Conservation professionals value and understand these physical artefacts; skilfully safeguarding them against decay and neglect to ensure that everyone’s stories survive for the inspiration of present and future generations. However, much of this work is hidden from public view because it takes place in private workshops or conservation studios in museums, galleries and archives.
Left to right: Ross McKirdy (Industrial Museums Scotland), Peter Anwyl-Harris (Marsh Charitable Trust), Alexandra Wade (London Metropolitan Archives), Dr David Leigh (Chair of the panel), Emma Callaghan (National Museum of the Royal Navy), Emma Jhita (Icon CEO), Alannah Hay (National Museum of the Royal Navy). Photo: James Pike Photography Ltd.
The Marsh Conservation Awards promote the wider recognition of conservation and the value it brings to society, shining a spotlight on highly skilled practitioners who are championing advances in best practice, research and training.
Icon's 2,300 members and the wider conservation and heritage sector nominated the best and brightest across five categories in this years' Awards. From industrial heritage in Scotland to traditional dress in Kenya and promoting sustainability in London, the winners of this years’ Awards reflect the disciplinary breadth of conservation practice and its ability to engage communities on a local, national and global scale.
Dr David Leigh FSA FIIC ACR, Plowden Medal, Chair of the Marsh Conservation Awards Judging Panel, commented:
The judging panel was impressed with the quality and range of the nominations this year. The calibre of the winning entries demonstrates not just the exceptional skills of the conservators who are charged with looking after our shared cultural heritage, but also their responsiveness to the values that communities place on collections and a readiness to explain and engage people with their important work.
The 2024 Marsh Conservation Award winners are:
The Marsh Award for Innovation in Conservation
Winner: Industrial Museums Scotland, Powering our People
Photo: Industrial Museums Scotland
Launched in 2022, Industrial Museums Scotland’s (IMS’s) ‘Powering Our People’ project was designed to address the gap in heritage conservation skills and knowledge in Scotland’s industrial museums. A programme of targeted skills development training courses, knowledge exchange activities and the creation of a conservation intern role created a dynamic conservation legacy, equipping the workforce of the 15 IMS member organisations with the skills and resources to care for these nationally significant collections for future generations.
You can learn more about the Powering our People project here.
The Marsh Award for Heritage Conservation in Action
Winner: Kabarnet Museum, National Museums of Kenya
Photo: Kabarnet Museum, National Museums of Kenya
A project led by curator and conservator Lillian Amwanda Ochieng that involved the restoration of two culturally significant artefacts from the Kabarnet Museum’s ethnographic store has helped to transform the museum’s public engagement programme. Through extensive collaboration with elders from two local communities, the museum staff and volunteer team were able to learn traditional conservation practices and gained a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of the ceremonial headdress and traditional skirt restored. This in turn has enhanced the cultural narrative the museum presents to the public.
The Marsh Award for Early Career Conservator
Winner: Alannah Hay, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth
Photo: National Museum of the Royal Navy
Alannah joined the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) in March 2023 as Conservation Technician, moving into the role of Conservator just six months later. Although she is an early career conservator and relatively new to NMRN, she has already proven herself to be a vital cog in the team, carrying out ethically-sound treatment and preventive tasks across NMRN’s wide-ranging collections; working closely with multiple specialisms; managing, training and supervising staff, volunteers and external contractors; and creating new working methods and efficiencies within the department. Alannah is also heavily involved in the HMS Victory Conservation Project, providing crucial conservation advice, treatment and advocacy.
The Marsh Award for Outstanding Student Conservator
Winner: Emma Callaghan, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool
Photo: National Museum of the Royal Navy
Emma started a degree apprenticeship in Cultural Heritage Conservation in October 2021, supported by the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) and the University of Lincoln. Her apprenticeship projects have had a significant impact on the NMRN Hartlepool collection and contribute to all the NMRN’s Conservation Strategy goals. These include improving knowledge of the collection’s condition, improving the condition of the collection, facilitating access to the collection, supporting academic engagement and increasing conservation advocacy. In addition, she has been working on a NLHF-funded project that is focused on the re-interpretation and conservation of NMRN’s figureheads, forming a crucial part of the project delivery team.
The Marsh Award for Environmental or Sustainability Focus in Conservation
Winner: Alexandra Wade, London Metropolitan Archives
Photo: Alexandra Wade
When Preventive Conservator Alexandra took over the Green Group at London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) in 2019, her ambition was to expand their existing efforts in promoting sustainability. As such, she facilitated donations to underfunded schools, charities and community centres, demonstrating the potential of cultural heritage institutions to support local initiatives. She also initiated a monthly newsletter to engage staff, leading to increased recycling and waste reduction. These regular updates have helped to rejuvenate LMA’s efforts to build a strong circular economy, introducing new recycling, repurposing and energy-saving initiatives. In addition, Alexandra has helped to redevelop LMA’s sustainability policy, spoken at several conferences and published articles to share her knowledge and practices.
Awards Judging Panel:
Panel chair: Dr David Leigh FSA FIIC ACR, Plowden Medal
Main panel: Emma Jhita, Icon CEO; Mark Ross, Icon Trustee; Camella Ramjet, Icon Emerging Professionals Network; and Annie McCarthy, Marsh Charitable Trust
Specialist judges: Ylva Dahnsjo ACR, Dr Clare Finn ACR, Clare Meredith, Helen Wilson ACR, Lorna Calcutt ACR and Janie Lightfoot ACR