Author: COTAC

Due to many requests, the regular abstract submission deadline of GEORES 2019 – Geomatics and Restoration –  has been extended.  The new deadline is set to January 19, 2019.  We remind you that main topics for abstract submission include (but are not limited to):

• HBIM – LOD, LOI, LOG, LOA. Modelling, object libraries, thematic mapping, data analysis and content enrichment
• Monitoring&Restoration: Built Environment and Infrastructures
• Open standards, ontologies, vocabularies, semantics and Big Data Hubs for Cultural Heritage knowledge
• Interactive content based VR/AR/Virtual Museum
• Low-cost sensors and new algorithms in cultural heritage digitization
• Landscapes and needs of multi-temporal data collection
• Preservation, climate change, hydrogeological and seismic risk and resilience management for Cultural Heritage and Built Environment
• Archaeology, data analysis, informative models and systems

The extended abstract should be at maximum 5000 characters possibly with figures and references. Submitted abstracts will be peer-reviewed.  Contributions can be submitted here.

The University of Göttingen and the University of Kassel are delighted to be hosting the 14th International Congress on the Deterioration and Conservation of Stone (STONE 2020). The STONE 2020 is entitled: MONUMENT FUTURE: DECAY AND CONSERVATION OF STONE and will take place on the 7th-12th of September in Göttingen, Germany. The Congress is a quadrennial event. It is the main conference for disseminating the knowledge of practitioners and researchers working in the field of stone deterioration issues in cultural heritage conservation. In the past, it has attracted around 300 international delegates and publishes the proceedings that contains over 150 scientific contributions. It truly represents and captures the state-of-theart in the field of stone conservation and cultural heritage conservation.

The proceedings will be ready prior to the conference. To manage everything right in time we will have to be very strict, therefore please follow the instructions and the deadlines. All the information you need is available on the webpage. Please consider that the deadline for submission of abstracts begins in July 2019. The conference registration starts in March 2019. After the conference, we are offering a Summer School, which will be generously supported by the DEUTSCHE BUNDESSTIFTUNG UMWELT – DBU – (GERMAN FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION).

See here for the DCMS 2018 Heritage Statement.

The RIBA is proud to announce our newest RIBA Fellow Members recognising our inspirational Chartered Members who have made a significant contribution to the profession.

By highlighting these professionals – and the broad spectrum of backgrounds and specialisms in which they work – we can continue to set a benchmark to which future generations of architects can aspire, as well as celebrate the sometimes unsung heroes of our profession. We can also help to broadcast the voices of those of our members who are addressing some of the huge challenges that affect modern society, and help them to continue to drive progress. The RIBA is looking forward to working with all of our Fellows to help continue to serve society through the delivery of better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment.

Ingval Maxwell FRIBA, DA(Dundee), ARIAS, FSA(Scot)

• Ingval is a conservation architect, who has contributed extensively over a long and illustrious career to architectural conservation
• Initiated a number of conservation-led groups within Historic Scotland including: the Scottish Conservation Forum in Training and Education; the Scottish Stone Liaison Group; the Scottish Historic Buildings Fire Liaison Group; and the Rural Buildings Conservation Initiative
• Director of Historic Scotland’s Technical Conservation, Research and Education group
• Initiated what would become the pan-professional “Edinburgh Group
• Chair of the Council on Training in Architectural Conservation
• In 2003 he was awarded an OBE for services to technical conservation in Historic Scotland

See here for a full list of new members.

What’s new? 

The European Commission has created the Funding & Tenders Portal to allow searching for EU funding and tender opportunities, and managing grants and contracts in one place. Whether you are an SME looking to bid for an EU procurement contract or an NGO having won an EU grant, it is just one click to get involved.

Why was this needed?

The Participant Portal was established, at the beginning, for the EU Research & Innovation Programme (Horizon 2020) only. Other EU programmes joined later, and now the new Funding & Tenders Portal will host all centrally managed EU programmes in one location. In addition, it will cover calls for tender and the related procurement contracts.

What changes for me?

Not much. Although the new Portal might look and feel a bit different, it still gives access to the electronic workflows that you are familiar with. You can continue using your existing username and password. You will find all your assets that you had in the old portal and all functions for managing them. Just remember to update your bookmarks.

What’s next?

Today, the new portal covers about 15 EU funding programmes (i.e. there are still programmes managed in other places). By the start of the next EU Budget period (2021), the portal will cover all centrally managed EU funding programmes.

For procurement contracts, the fully electronic management will be introduced gradually. Initially the Funding & Tenders Portal provides a simple search on calls for tenders. In a few years, procurement contracts of the European Commission will be handled paperless (as grants are handled already today).

As of end of November, users accessing the Participant Portal will be automatically redirected to the new portal.  Very soon later, the old portal will be switched off.

Grab your opportunity and get involved in EU projects now!

Now in its 21st year, with alumni from over 170 colleges and universities worldwide, SGPS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. We offer students the opportunity to study and travel in Italy where they acquire hands-on experience in restoration and conservation.

In 2018 there have been major new developments for our SGPS program. An academic relationship has been established with West Virginia University that offers our students the opportunity to apply for and receive credits through the WVU Art History Department.  Also, in 2018, a significant 3-year cooperation agreement has been signed with the Office of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage for the Abruzzo Region to study and conserve archaeological objects held in their museums, as well as a collaboration with the Historic Archives of the Dioceses of Terni for SGPS participants to study and conserve archival documents.

See here to find out more.

As part of our ongoing work to increase the levels of social investment supporting the heritage sector, the AHF is delighted to announce a new partnership fund: The Heritage Impact Fund (HIF).

The HIF will provide £7m in social investment funding over a minimum of five years, for the first time bringing together funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, the AHF and other investors. The HIF will be managed by the AHF and will offer tailored finance for charities, social enterprises and community businesses across the UK seeking to acquire, reuse or redevelop buildings which are of historic or architectural importance – these may be buildings which are listed, in a conservation area, or may be of special significance to the community. It will also provide assistance to those projects which need additional advice and guidance to support sustainable business change, transition or expansion and will be particularly targeted at applicants who are completing a capital project or are looking to build upon or scale-up their existing enterprise. As well as delivering projects that support the sustainability of historic buildings, the HIF will support organisations that are seeking to deliver demonstrable local economic and community impact; advice from the AHF will assist borrowers with assessing their impact.

We will be formally launching the HIF in London in mid-February 2019 and in Scotland in March 2019, when full details will be made available.  However, the HIF will be open for expressions of interest from as early as January 2019, so if you are interested in learning more in the meantime then please contact a member of the Investment Team on 020 7925 0199 or email us; full contact details are available on our website.

Fancy a history lesson involving computer games and temporary tattoos? Discover how Scotland’s Urban Past are using unconventional methods to unlock the hidden history of our towns and cities here.

Do you want to help the leading professional body representing archaeologists working in the UK and overseas? Do you have the governance skills required to help to direct a small but ambitious organisation? CIfA, the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, is looking for a director from outside the profession.

• The role: Lay director on the Board of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
• Responsible to: Chair of the Board of Directors
• Responsibilities: To bring new perspectives to the Board from outside the archaeological profession and to assist the Board in their duty to promote high professional standards and strong ethics, maximising the value that archaeologists bring to society and bringing recognition and respect to the profession
• Commitment: 12-18 days per year, including six Board meetings
  Skills required: Skills in governance, team building, strategic growth in the UK and overseas, ambassadorship
• Term: 1 year initially, to be extended to 3 years on review
• Remuneration: Travel and expenses only

If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please see the Information for candidates and Application form here.

Private listed property owners are preserving much of Britain’s built heritage for future generations, yet many are struggling to maintain and repair their homes. In 2012, the Government removed the zero rate of VAT for pre-authorised alterations to listed buildings. This was a major blow to owners.

To sign the petition to reduce VAT to 5% on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings, go here.

For more information, see here.