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The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) will accept votes for its prestigious Keck Award, which recognizes projects that “celebrate the best in public outreach, sharing and widening understanding of the work of conservators.” The Ghent Altarpiece: Conservation, Research and Public Engagement is among the nominations for this award. Because the purpose of the Keck Award from the IIC is to celebrate a project that has furthered understanding of art conservation through public engagement, it is open to voting by the public, and that includes you! Please consider voting (the deadline is September 9) and feel free to share:  

This nomination holds special meaning for Queen’s University and the Department of Art History and Art Conservation because of the close involvement of Prof. Ron Spronk. With the financial support of the Getty Foundation, Dr. Spronk initiated and directed the project ‘Lasting Support’ from 2010 to 2012, together with Prof. Anne van Grevenstijn of the University of Amsterdam. The outcome of this study was that the Ghent Altarpiece was indeed in need of a full restoration, a treatment that is scheduled to be completed by the end this year. Since 2012 Prof. Spronk has also coordinated the award-winning website , which offers a vast wealth of resources on the Ghent Altarpiece. Visitors to the site can view spectacular images before and after restoration in extreme resolutions side-by side, read an array of restoration reports and download complete publications, and learn about the different methods of technical examinations and scientific analyses of paintings in use.  

Dr. Allison Morehead, professor of Art History and Department Head writes: "how thrilled I am to share the news of this nomination, which celebrates excellence in public outreach in conservation. Professor Spronk's project is a great example of a successful collaboration between art conservators, art historians and conservation scientists."  

Dr. Patricia Smithen, the Department’s professor of Paintings Conservation (the only Master of Art Conservation program in Canada) adds: “Caroline and Sheldon Keck, seminal figures in establishing the field of art and heritage conservation in the 20th century, endowed the Keck Award in 1994 to honour "the individual or group who has in the opinion of the Council contributed most towards promoting public understanding and appreciation of the accomplishments of the conservation profession."  The Kecks, inaugural Fellows of the IIC, were incredible advocates for the field, establishing and supporting academic programs and professional associations while also teaching and practicing conservation. They were strong proponents of the connections between art historical study, scientific analysis and conservation practice which The Ghent Altarpiece project, initiated by Professor Ron Spronk in 2010, illustrates beautifully.”