FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2008
IMLS Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, jmjoseth@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov
Radice
Receives Forbes Medal for Distinguished Contribution to
Conservation
 WASHINGTON,
DC--Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute
of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), received the Forbes
Medal for Distinguished Contribution to the Field of Conservation
from the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic
and Artistic Works (AIC) at its annual meeting April 22,
2008, in Denver, CO. Since its inception in 1994, the
4-inch, bronze Forbes Medal has been awarded to only six
other non-conservators for their distinguished contributions
to the field of conservation.
Radice was honored for her career-long dedication
to the understanding, appreciation, and support of the
conservation and preservation of our cultural heritage.
Most recently, Radice created and is providing leadership
for the IMLS initiative, Connecting
to Collections: A Call to Action, which includes a
National Conservation Summit, four forums on conservation
which are taking place across the country, the distribution
of 2,000 Conservation Bookshelves, and collaborative planning
grants which will advance every state’s collective
conservation goals. The initiative also includes a resource-laden
Web site and a conservation
video that collecting institutions can use to raise
awareness and funds. Radice’s outstanding commitment
to conservation and preservation is reflected in this
national initiative that is raising public awareness and
inspiring action.
“This is an incredibly special award
that we give to non-conservators who have contributed
greatly to the field of conservation,” said Eryl
Wentworth, Executive Director of the AIC. “IMLS’s
Connecting to Collections initiative is so impressive
and so important. It has increased visibility and funding
for the field of conservation. “We wanted to honor
Anne at our annual meeting of over 900 conservators, so
that our members would understand the significance of
her career-long contributions and so they can help to
spread the word about this new initiative and its importance
to conservation.” AIC President Martin Burke awarded
the medal at a reception that serves as “an opportunity
for the conservation community to honor Dr. Anne-Imelda
Radice for this outstanding conservation initiative and
for the Institute’s continued dedication to a logical
and comprehensive approach to preservation and conservation
in the United States.”
The Forbes Medal was named in honor of Edward
Waldo Forbes, art connoisseur, collector, benefactor,
and director of the of the Harvard University's Fogg Art
Museum from 1909 to 1944. Forbes founded the first conservation
department in the United States devoted to the scientific
study and restoration of art. Radice joins the following
Forbes Medal winners:
2005: Angelica Zander Rudenstine, Program
Officer, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, for her pivotal
role in guiding and supporting the advancement of the
conservation profession. She has tirelessly promoted serious
scholarship in conservation and conservation science,
while seeking greater communication among art historical,
scientific, and conservation communities.
2004: James Billington, Librarian of
Congress, for his long-standing support of conservation
and the invaluable objects entrusted to his care
2000: Lawrence Reger, President of Heritage
Preservation, for his steadfast support of the conservation
profession and his work to incorporate conservation programs
into museum outreach efforts.
1998: Richard Krimm, former FEMA official,
for his leadership and commitment to the recovery of cultural
property
1998: Harold Williams, former President
and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, for his distinguished
leadership in the visual arts and humanities and his sustained
commitment to the support of the conservation field.
1994: Sen. Claiborne Pell and Sen.
Sidney Yates for their strong leadership on behalf
of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment
for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum Services.
Both Senators were unwavering in their support of conservation
programs and left a significant imprint on the federal
commitment to supporting many aspects of conservation.
View Dr. Radice's biography
and hi-resolution
photo (2.6 MB).
|
