The most inclusive conservation award for taught coursework is ready for online submissions, as the Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC) Annual Gus Astley Student Award (GASA) is launched, with a closing date of 31 July 2013 and guidance to be found at http://gasa.ihbc.org.uk/
Everyone on, or leading, taught courses or modules in specialist areas ranging from history and heritage skills to regeneration and design is being asked to raise awareness of this prestigious opportunity across their student and training networks.
Jo Evans, IHBC Chair, said: ‘Our annual award is critically important for the IHBC, and for the heritage conservation industry as a whole. It highlights the best of the diverse specialisms and career routes that underpin successful conservation – from engineering to history and from early career students and trainees to established professionals modernising their skills.’
Bob Kindred, Vice Chair IHBC Education Committee, said: ‘As well as the £300 cash prize, and additional awards for commended work, successful candidates are offered free places at the IHBC’s major training event, its Annual School. The winners in the 2011 Award had the opportunity to attend our School in Winchester last June, and receive their prizes as part of the IHBC’s Annual School Dinner.’
Process
For a chance to win a £300 cash prize, applicants need only submit digital versions of work assessed on taught courses ending in July 2012 or 2013. Free places at the IHBC’s Annual School, valued at around £500, are also offered to selected contestants. The 2013 School will take place in Carlisle and is taking ‘Skills’ as its theme. The 2014 School, which will be the venue for the lucky winners of the 2013 Award, will take place in Edinburgh.
Background
The Gus Astley Student Award is presented each year for taught coursework that is considered to be of exceptional value and quality by the institute’s guest judge that year. The IHBC selects a different leading practitioner within a major employer to serve as judge. Staff from Historic Scotland, English Heritage, Cadw, the National Trust and, in 2012, the National Trust for Scotland, are among those who have agreed to serve in that role to date.
Eligible course work may deal with any aspect of places, buildings, features or areas that helps shape conservation, including history, heritage and planning, new architecture or investigative research. There are no restrictions on discipline, type of taught coursework, group numbers or age. The essential requirement for eligibility is that the entry represents a relevant and quality submission assessed as part of a taught course that was completed in the academic years ending July 2012 or 2013.
The IHBC Award website gives full details on the process and terms of the award, including how to submit digitally in accordance with our guidelines.
Download the flier for the 2013 award: LINK
Download the guidance: LINK
For details and background on the IHBC’s student award see: LINK
For the IHBC’s recognised conservation courses see: LINK
For training events covering IHBC’s specialist interests see: LINK
For the IHBC’s press notice on the 2011 Award, see: LINK
