October 2019

Iraqi Institute students learning methods for safely lifting damaged stone sculptures for conservation.

The heritage of ancient Mesopotamia, city of , 19th-century Ottoman old Assyrian ruins that stood just outside the “cradle of Western civilization,” is homes, and historic souks document the ISIS-occupied . The demolition vitally important to the people of . complex web of faiths, empires and trade came amidst a wave of ISIS vandalism Iconic sites throughout the country, that have shaped Iraq. against ancient sites in northern Iraq. including the famed temples of Babylon, In recent times, this history has Even before the ISIS campaign the ziggurat at Ur, and the palace at suffered greatly. On April 11, 2015, the to destroy cultural heritage, historical , capital of the Assyrian empire, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sites suffered from decades of neglect, chronicle early human history and the released a video of the ancient city of violence, and instability that have further roots of western civilizations. Religious Nimrud erupting in a colossal cloud of compromised conservation efforts. In one and secular structures such as the spiral dust. After attacking ancient sculptures of the most notorious examples, looters minaret at , the Yazidi temple with sledgehammers and power tools, the took thousands of objects from the Iraq at Lalesh, the citadel, the ancient terrorist group detonated the 3,000-year- National Museum in the early days of the

1 U.S. invasion of in 2003. community’s sense of identity and Delaware, the Smithsonian Institution, These besieged Iraqi sites and cohesion as well as destroy livelihoods. and other organizations to create the artifacts represent world heritage, but Iraqis are committed to preserving Iraqi Institute for the Conservation they also hold inestimable value for this amazing heritage; losses from of Antiquities and Heritage (IICAH). local communities. Cultural heritage looting of the National Museum and The Iraqi Institute seeks to address is an important economic driver, and ISIS destruction would have been these problems by educating Iraqis in these sites are vital to local economies. far worse had Iraqis not, at great conservation and preservation, and by Heritage sites beautify cities, spur personal risk, removed and hidden inviting professionals from around the infrastructure development, attract many valuable artifacts. Iraq remains world to share their expertise in courses visitors, create jobs, and raise incomes an extraordinarily rich cultural and taught at the Institute (Figure 1). for communities. A shared cultural historic repository with important IICAH’s mission is to help rebuild heritage and the commitment to museums, historic structures and Iraq’s cultural heritage sector by preserve it can also serve as a powerful thousands of undiscovered and providing Iraq’s museum and heritage unifying force for disparate groups. A unexplored sites. Since 2008, they professionals with in-country training blow to heritage can shake an entire have partnered with the University of in the preservation and conservation

Figure 1: A relief at the site of Nimrud damaged and abandoned by ISIS.

2 October 2019 of their cultural heritage. Students and other faiths, all drawn together by a need to continue to advance their own are drawn from the active ranks of shared passion for the preservation of one knowledge and rebuild their country.” the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities of the world’s oldest civilizations. and Heritage (SBAH), the General At the Institute, participants Professional Training Directorate of Antiquities under the spend up to six months learning Kurdistan Regional Government the foundations of cultural heritage Preserving heritage is a complex job (KRG), provincial antiquities protection. The teachers provide a that requires a varied toolbox that can departments, and university faculty range of instruction to help students be applied to a wide variety of materials, and staff. IICAH students are already develop the tools they need to manage so students receive instruction relevant working in positions where they can and preserve Iraq’s heritage. Many to historic and archaeological objects, apply their newly acquired training participants have used their new historic architecture, and archaeological and access to international networks. skills to advance their careers, and sites. During an introductory course The Institute, located in Erbil, the Institute alumni now support research entitled “Fundamentals of Heritage capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, expeditions in the region led by Conservation,” participants learn is a well-equipped modern educational archaeologists from such institutions everything from international standards facility offering programs reflecting as the University of Chicago, Johns for conservation and basic material international standards (Figure 2). Hopkins University, and Harvard science, to preventive conservation, and Courses are taught by international University. As Jessica S. Johnson, Head photographic documentation techniques. experts and Iraqi teaching assistants using of Conservation at the Smithsonian’s The courses prepare participants local resources and materials. IICAH Museum Conservation Institute to identify, document, and stabilize participants include men and women (MCI) and a program facilitator at the vulnerable heritage—the essential skills from across Iraq: Arabs and , Institute, describes it: “We’re working to conserve sites for future generations. Sunni and Shia, Christians, Muslims, to give Iraqis the building blocks they Subsequent courses deal with more

Figure 2. The Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage (IICAH).

3 specialized topics such as conservation of professional conservation network within locally relevant solutions in their archaeological ceramics, advanced GPS Iraq. Iraqi conservators are the local classes. “We actually train with the training for documenting archaeological experts on their own past, and by offering Iraqis on site with the equipment sites, and stabilization techniques for the latest tools, the IICAH programs they’re going to be using,” says Jessica historic structures. enhance their ability to react to crises. S. Johnson. By collaborating directly The ultimate goal is to support a The instructors work to provide with the people who will ensure the preservation of Iraq’s heritage, and by visiting local sites to understand the challenges facing conservation, the instructors are able to identify the tools their students need most (Figure 3). Some participants have used skills from IICAH programs to advance their careers. Nihayet, who works at a local museum in Erbil, became a Master Trainer (teaching assistant) at the Institute in 2010, supporting the instructors and sometimes running courses on her own (Figure 4). Now, she’s using her experience to train conservators at her museum and has set up a conservation department to serve the entire Erbil province. “My experiences at the Institute help me to teach others how to keep the artifacts safe in the museum and to advise Iraqi archaeologists on the safest way to lift fragile artifacts they find during excavations.” The dedication of the participants is impressive. Everyone who attends a program at the Institute sacrifices to be there—traveling to an unfamiliar environment or spending time away from work and family. As entry and mid-career professionals, many students have a spouse and children, and must arrange support for their families while they are away from their jobs. Since participants come from every part of Iraq, many must travel hundreds of miles from their homes to Erbil, even through risky situations. The participants insist on making the most of every minute. When ISIS came within half an hour of Erbil in 2014, Figure 3. IICAH students visit the 12th century Choli Minaret in Erbil. Dr. Katharyn Hanson (International

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Cultural Heritage Researcher, MCI) programs. The Institute, a modern heritage sector took place over several tried to cancel her class so participants educational facility, is in the heart of decades of war and neglect. Prior could call their families, but they insisted Erbil, the largest city in the Kurdistan to 1980, Iraq boasted a robust and on staying. “It was like a little mutiny in Region of Iraq and home to the ancient internationally recognized cultural the classroom—you told us we’d learn 8,000-year-old Erbil citadel, one of Iraq’s heritage sector staffed by career about GPS units, we want to learn about five World Heritage Sites (Figure 7). professionals with advanced degrees GPS units,” Katharyn recalls. “That The degradation of Iraq’s cultural and decades of experience in museum sums up the whole level of dedication— with ISIS only 30 minutes away, they wanted me to teach (Figure 5).” Now that Iraqi forces have pushed ISIS out of Mosul and many important heritage sites, planning and training for the rescue of these sites has begun. In April 2017 the Smithsonian inaugurated the Nimrud Rescue Project with funding from the U.S. State Department and private donors to document and stabilize the recently freed ancient city. A storage building and support facilities have been constructed, and a cadre of Iraqis, trained at IICAH with the support of the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture and Design, has begun the long task of systematically mapping the damage, Figure 4. Nihayet discusses way to accurately label artifacts in museums to IICAH students. identifying, gathering, and cataloguing the fragments, all of which are necessary for the site’s long-term planning and preservation (Figure 6). By recovering and preserving heritage, Iraqis are not just stemming a tide of destruction—they are working toward a better future.

History

The IICAH is the result of a remarkable Iraqi-American partnership resulting from a collaboration between several Iraqi and U.S. governmental and academic institutions that began in 2008. Since then, the IICAH has hosted numerous Iraqi- and internationally- sponsored courses, meetings, and related activities that support the IICAH mission to help rebuild Iraq’s cultural heritage sector. Hundreds of Iraqi heritage professionals have benefited from these Figure 5. Katharyn Hanson teaching documentation skills for archaeological site conservation.

5 in Baghdad awarded a two-year Targeted Development Program grant to fund the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project (ICHP) in 2008. The ICHP sought to enhance Iraq’s professional cultural heritage sector by working towards three goals, principal among them was the creation of a cultural heritage educational program for Iraqi heritage professionals. Designed in consultation with the Iraqi SBAH and leading American conservation and preservation educators, the program created the IICAH to deliver critically needed preservation education. The creation of the IICAH met the goal of providing in-country courses offering programs to international standards, taught by international experts using local resources and materials. In consultation with the SBAH, this center was founded in Erbil, to ensure ready access to both Iraqis and foreign experts. The KRG has been extremely supportive of this initiative. The governor of Erbil provided a large residential teaching facility in downtown Erbil located immediately below the historic citadel, and the KRG contributed funds to renovate and furnish the building, which now boasts modern classrooms, laboratories, and dormitory space. Brian Michael Lione, International Cultural Heritage Protection Program Manager for the Smithsonian’s MCI, was the first Figure 6. A member of the Nimrud Rescue Team practices lifting techniques that are used on-site director of the IICAH in 2009-2010. for recovery of ancient sculptures. He recalls the dedication of the Iraqi partners in making the Institute a reality: management and . This interpret, and preserve the damaged, “The ICHP intended only to provide sector was decimated by the Iran- looted, and deteriorating sites and short-term conservation training during of the 1980s, the 1991 and collections. More recently, Iraq’s the two-year grant; with the donation of 2003 Gulf Wars, decades of disinterest heritage sector has been challenged by the facility to the project, it was obvious in cultural heritage on the part of extremist terrorist action, such as the that the Iraqis valued the program, and a repressive government, and the intentional and rampant destruction of were committed to sustaining it for the isolation and sanctions of the 1990s. cultural heritage by ISIS. long-term.” What remained was a shrinking Seeking a solution to Iraq’s heritage The IICAH’s core educational staff lacking basic skills to manage, preservation needs, the U.S. Embassy program in museum collections

6 October 2019 conservation was launched in October modules in Erbil alternating with the Getty Foundation, Bank of America, 2009 under the guidance of three expert practicums in home institutions. and the KRG) to continue the project. partner institutions heavily engaged in A program for Master Trainers was Jessica S. Johnson served as Academic conservation education: the University established in 2010, to provide advanced Director, working with the current IICAH of Delaware, Department of Art students with the opportunity to serve Director, Dr. Abdullah Korsheed, and the Conservation; the Winterthur Museum, as teaching assistants and further their IICAH Board of Directors and Advisory Garden & Library; and the Walters education with the goal of assuming Council. Together they implemented and Art Museum. The course, consisting increasing amounts of the teaching developed the curriculum and associated of three 8-week modules followed by responsibilities. One of these master collaborations to support training, weeklong practicums, was offered to trainers was awarded a Leon Levy outreach, and education to fulfill the current Iraqi government employees Visiting Fellowship to study at New York Institute’s mission. working in cultural heritage. A second University’s Art Conservation Program The year 2014 brought many program in historic preservation was in 2012. changes to the IICAH. In January, introduced in 2010 and refreshed in 2012 The University of Delaware served as Brian Michael Lione, the inaugural as the ‘Architectural Site Conservation’ the lead partner through 2014, using funds director of the IICAH in 2009-2010, course. A course in archaeological site from a variety of sources (U.S. Embassy, was named Executive Director to preservation was added in 2013. These Baghdad; Bureau of Educational and better support the administrative needs programs established the basic course Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of the IICAH in addition to academic organization with class instruction of State; Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; programming. ISIS continued to move

Figure 7. The ancient Citadel of Erbil, a World Heritage Site.

7 together experts from the University of Pennsylvania and Smithsonian with funding from the Prince Claus Fund and the JM Kaplan Foundation. The effort provided needed training to twelve Iraqi heritage specialists; it was also notable as the first time the IICAH received and managed a grant without external assistance (Figure 8). In 2015, as the ISIS threat decreased, long-time U.S. partners were able to again plan for comprehensive coursework at the IICAH. With the Smithsonian Institution providing primary guidance, classes began again in early 2016. Eighteen Iraqi students enrolled in the 22-week Fundamentals of Heritage Conservation course, which provides the foundational context and skills for more advanced courses in conservation of ancient and historic objects, architecture, and archaeological sites. Students were drawn from the active ranks of the SBAH, the KRG, provincial antiquities departments, and university faculty and staff. The course organizers continued to employ the proven model of teaching those already working in positions where they can apply their newly acquired training and access to international networks (Figure 9). Throughout its history, IICAH has provided a rich assortment of introductory and advanced courses and opportunities in addition to the longer Figure 8. Students practice disaster recovery methodologies in the back yard of the IICAH. foundation courses. Other groups, such as the International Committee through the country, and the IICAH understanding that she would remain on Missing Persons, the World and others anxiously tracked their heavily involved with IICAH. In 2015, Monuments Fund, the University of progress. In August 2014, IICAH the IICAH worked to reconnect with Arizona, Boston University, and the was forced to evacuate students and its U.S. partners while establishing Superior Institute for Conservation staff and temporarily close as ISIS new opportunities for collaboration. and Restoration of the Italian Ministry threatened Erbil. In direct response to the ISIS threat of Culture have used IICAH facilities Also, in 2014, Academic Director to cultural heritage, the IICAH hosted for preservation-related courses and Jessica S. Johnson accepted a new an “Emergency Preparedness and workshops. The IICAH has also hosted position as Head of Conservation Disaster Response” course in May an international array of archaeologists of the Smithsonian’s MCI with the and August. This course brought engaged in field work and site analysis,

8 October 2019 planned meetings of Governorate v a library stocked with books (in Curriculum antiquities directors, targeted response English, and Kurdish) and and recovery workshops for cultural periodicals donated by U.S and Iraqi The IICAH curriculum is taught heritage, and led tours for Iraqi school individuals and institutions by an international cadre of expert and university groups. v office, conference, gathering, and instructors, each of whom works with Mohamed, a Master Trainer who exhibit/event spaces the students from one to four weeks as works at Babylon, said that at the Institute v outdoor demonstration areas part of longer-term courses. This ensures he has learned to “do what is right, not (designed for showcasing traditional that different subjects are taught by what is easy in the nine years since I joined building techniques and performing individuals with the highest qualifications the IICAH family and I am so happy to mock archaeological excavations) and experience. The program also be a part of it”. v a cafeteria for lunch and tea breaks builds long-term mentoring relationships v full accommodations for up to 28 between participants and instructors to Facilities students (equal facilities on separate foster ongoing learning. Mentors facilitate floors for 14 men and 14 women, the participation of former students in The IICAH occupies a 22,745 including 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, international conferences and research square foot building in central Erbil, just etc.) and a small gymnasium. and provide advice and contacts to assist below the 8,000-year-old Erbil Citadel. them in continuing their education outside Formerly the Erbil Central Library, it Because IICAH draws students the IICAH (Figure 12). Mentors are also was generously made available, rent from throughout Iraq, dormitory space available for consultation with former free, by the Governor of Erbil. The was incorporated into the facility to students and their colleagues after they building was completely renovated provide safe, economic housing and to return to their home institutions. With in 2009 with funding totaling $2.5 provide the opportunity to develop close this level of ongoing professional support million provided by the Prime Minister relationships with colleagues throughout and engagement, Iraqi professionals of the KRG. The refurbished building Iraq (Figure 11). trained at the IICAH are prepared to provides classroom, laboratory, and dormitory space for IICAH. Staff from the University of Delaware, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, the Walters Art Museum, and the National Park Service worked in partnership with the Governor’s Office to design and develop a well-equipped training institute where modern concepts in cultural and historic preservation could be taught. The KRG provides utilities and support staff (security, IT, housekeeping, etc.) and maintains the facility (Figure 10). The Institute, located within a walled compound with a staffed security gate, now includes: v two fully-equipped conservation laboratories v a digital documentation laboratory v a secure collections storage room v Figure 9. Jessica S. Johnson and Brian Michael Lione with IICAH students visiting the local Kurd- two Wi-Fi equipped classrooms ish Textile Museum.

9 sustain the mission and programs of the and is followed by a 1–2 week practicum class translation in Arabic and Kurdish IICAH over the long term, multiplying that students complete in their home as necessary. In order to ensure that the project’s benefits through teaching office. Graduates of this course or those IICAH graduates can access professional and outreach. with appropriate experience are eligible information in English as well as interact The foundation course for all for more advanced courses dealing with with their international peers and students is the Fundamentals of collections conservation, architectural contribute as professionals to the field, Heritage Conservation, which focuses and site conservation, and archaeological the program includes intensive language on introducing international standards site preservation, as well as specialized instruction tailored to those needs. for the preservation of cultural heritage, courses in specific materials or techniques. Student candidates are nominated by photography and documentation All courses emphasize the use of critical their home organization in consultation techniques, preventive conservation thinking, teamwork, and problem solving with the Director of the IICAH. concepts, and practices including risk as well as communication, computer, and Dr. Abdullah Khorsheed Qadir, assessment, basic material science, and an outreach skills. Director stated “The Iraqi Institute for introduction to the principles of cultural The language of instruction is the Conservation of Antiquities and heritage stabilization (Figure 13). Each English, the international language of Heritage is a place where people come of the course modules lasts 4–6 weeks the preservation profession, with in- together with a passion for preserving

Figure 10. IICAH students learning how to examine and document artifacts.

10 October 2019 heritage. People from around the world on board at the Smithsonian’s MCI as Senior Conservation, Museum come to Erbil to share their experience a Cultural Heritage Researcher in 2017 Conservation Institute, Smithsonian and knowledge with Iraqi museum Institution and Conservator in Private and heritage professionals to preserve Visiting Faculty and Assistant Practice, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA museum collections, heritage buildings, Faculty, 2009- 2019 vDavid Biggs, Structural Engineer in and ancient archaeological sites. At the Private Practice, Troy, NY, USA Institute, experiences, practiced experts NOTE: Titles and institutional affiliations vSuzanne Bott, PhD, Urban Planner in work together with colleagues from the date to the year(s) in which the individual was Private Practice, Tucson, AZ, USA Iraqi heritage community to educate active at the IICAH. vStacy Bowe, Training Coordinator, those who care for the legacy of some of Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative the earliest civilizations.” vRima Al-Ajlouni, PhD, Associate vJP Brown, PhD, Regenstein Professor, School of Architecture, Texas Conservator, The Field Museum, Staff Tech University (IICAH Program Chicago, IL, USA Director, Historic Preservation, 2009- vScott Carrlee, Curator for Museum IICAH participants are taught 2010) Services, Alaska State Museum, Juneau, by and work with internationally vAlaa Al-Habashi, PhD, Turath AK, USA recognized conservation professionals Conservation Group, Cairo, Egypt vVicki Cassman, PhD, Director of supported by Iraqi staff. Fatima al-Nammari, PhD, Historic Undergraduate Studies, Department Preservation Architect, Amman, Jordan of Art Conservation, University of Project Directors, 2009-2019 vJosephine Atkinson, Manager, Delaware, Newark, DE, USA Conservation and Collection vKim Cullen Cobb, Research Brian Michael Lione has been with Management, Museum and Art Gallery, Associate, Museum Conservation IICAH since 2009, first as project Bank Negara Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Institute, Smithsonian Institution, coordinator and as the inaugural Director, Malaysia and Conservator in Private Practice, then as Director of the Architectural and vHarriet “Rae” Beaubien, Emeritus Washington, DC, USA Site Conservation program. He was also Executive Director in 2014-2016. Since 2017, he spearheads programs in Iraq at the Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) as their International Cultural Heritage Protection Program Manager.

Jessica S. Johnson has been with IICAH since 2009, first as Project Director for Conservation, and then as Academic Director from 2011 -2014. She oversees many Iraq projects as the Principal Investigator in her role as the Director of Conservation at the Smithsonian’s MCI, where she has been since 2014.

Dr. Katharyn Hanson initiated the IICAH Archaeological Site Preservation Program in 2013, and has supported IICAH activities since that time, particularly once she was brought Figure 11. Students learn how to safely handle fragile books and manuscripts in the IICAH library.

11 Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, University of Arkansas, AR, USA vPetr Justa, Conservation Scientist, Director of International Projects, GEMA Art Inc., Prague; and Faculty of Restoration and Vice-Dean for Science and International Affairs, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic vStephen Kelley, Preservation Architect / Engineer in private practice, Chicago, IL, USA vElizabeth Louden, PhD, Professor, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA vMolly McGath, PhD, Post doctorate Fellow, Freer and Sackler Galleries, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA vSebastian Meyer, Photojournalist, New York City, USA and Erbil, Iraq vDavid Michelmore, Director, Consultancy for Conservation and Development, Erbil, Iraq vAkbar Nazim Modan, Architect in Private Practice, The Hague, The Netherlands vBarbara Moore, Conservator in Private Practice, Rochester, New York, USA vRoisin Myles, Conservator in Private Practice, Ireland vNancy Odegaard, PhD, Conservator, Arizona State Museum and Professor,

Figure 12. A visiting lecturer teaches students how to identify pottery collected during survey of an Department of Anthropology and archaeological site. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, vAnn-Marie Deisser, PhD, Conservator Office), Erbil, Iraq Tucson, AZ, USA in Private Practice, Liège, Belgium vCatherine Hawks, Conservator vEvi Oehler, Museum Exhibit Designer, vSherry Fox, PhD, Director, Wiener and Educator, George Washington Washington, DC, USA Laboratory, American School of University, Washington, DC, USA Abdelhamid Salah Sayed, Conservator, Classical Studies at Athens, Greece vPaul Hepworth, Paper and Textile Giza, Egypt Usam Ghaidan, Historic Architect in Conservator, HB Koruma ve Onarım vAbdulhamid Sayed, Chairman Private Practice, Leidschendam, The Tic. Ltd. Ski., Istanbul, of the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Netherlands vPaula Ion, Architect in Private Foundation (EHRF) and Manager of vJessica Giraud, PhD, Archaeologist, Practice, Romania the Risk Assessment Unit in Disaster Institut français du Proche-Orient (Erbil vTuna Kalayci, Geospatial Expert, Risk Management Dep. Egyptian

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Ministry of Antiquities Heritage (SBAH) vEstablish curriculum goals for vKent Severson, Conservator, Doris vDr. Ali Alhyali Ghanim, Head of programs at IICAH. Duke’s Shangri La, Honolulu, Hawaii Training, SBAH, Baghdad vEnsure that IICAH programs vDonna Strahan, Conservator, vDr. Abdullah Khorsheed, Chair, meet Iraqi needs and international Metropolitan Museum of Art, New Director, IICAH; Professor, Salahaddin professional standards. York, NY, USA University, Erbil vPromote and support the work of vRene Turner, Architect, Consultancy vDr. Numan J. Ibrahim, Professor, IICAH to increase public awareness and for Conservation and Development, Salahaddin University, Erbil involvement inside and outside Iraq. Erbil, Iraq vEngineer Ayad Tariq Hussein, vRaise funds through Iraqi and vJulie Unruh, Conservator in Private Director of Antiquities, Kirkuk Province, international sources to support IICAH Practice, Austin, Texas, USA SBAH programs. vJason Ur, PhD, John L. Loeb Associate vWork with the Board of Directors Professor of the Social Sciences, Advisory Council of IICAH to help fulfill the mission of Department of Anthropology, Harvard An advisory council of Iraqi and IICAH. University, Cambridge, MA, USA American experts was created in vAnna Wachtmeister, Architect in 2012 to advise the Board on academic Current Advisory Council Private Practice, and Urban Programme programs and assist with fund raising. As Members (2019) Manager, Cortaid, The Hague, The conditions allow, the Advisory Council vDebra Hess Norris, Henry Francis Netherlands meets annually with the Board to assess DuPont Chair of Fine Arts; Chair vRobert Waller, Protect Heritage current programs and plan for the future. and Professor, Art Conservation Corporation, Ottawa, Canada The functions of the Advisory Council, as Department; Director, Winterthur/ vTerry Drayman-Weisser, Director of outlined in the by-laws, are to: University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation and Technical Research, Conservation Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD, vSupport the mission and vision of vJessica S. Johnson, Head of USA IICAH. Conservation, Museum Conservation vCorine Wegener, Cultural Heritage Preservation Officer, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA

Governance

Board To ensure a sustainable future for the IICAH, the SBAH and the Governor of Erbil signed a Memorandum of Agreement in 2011. This agreement established a five-member management Board—three members appointed by the SBAH, and two by the Erbil Governor. Dr. Abdullah Korsheed was named Chair of the Board, and he continues to serve in that position.

Board Members vDr. Omar Abdul-Razzaq, Director of Antiquities, Salahaddin Province, Figure 13. Fundamentals in Heritage Conservation students practice using a light meter to under- State Board of Antiquities and stand how museum artifacts can be damaged by light.

13 Institute, Smithsonian Institution American involvement and funding The Smithsonian established the vDr. Ayad Khadum Dawood, Director for IICAH programs. The University Smithsonian Fund for the Iraqi World Heritage Department, SBAH of Delaware agreed to administer Institute in 2016 to administer vDr. Nancy Odegaard, Conservator, the program. Generous grants from donations from private individuals and Head of Preservation Division, Arizona the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation foundations in support of the Institute: State Museum; Professor, Materials and the Getty Foundation to match https://global.si.edu/projects/smithsonian- Science & Engineering, Professor, School funding provided by the U.S. Embassy, and-iraqi-institute-conservation-antiquities- of Anthropology, University of Arizona Baghdad, provided funding through and-heritage vLois Olcott Price, Chair, past Director 2013. In 2012 the Governor’s office in of Conservation, Winterthur Museum Erbil began funding the Architecture Donors–Academic Programs (retired), Allied Assistant Professor of Art and Site Conservation course, while the 2009-2015 Conservation, University of Delaware Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau, vDr. Qaes Rasheed, Deputy Minister, U.S. Department of State, funded two US Embassy, Baghdad Ministry of Culture and Director, State Archaeological Site Preservation courses. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Board of Antiquities and Heritage The KRG and the SBAH have Getty Foundation vVian Rasheed, Expert Civil Engineer, made significant in-kind contributions Bureau of Educational and Cultural Governorate of Erbil of facilities, facilities maintenance, and Affairs, U.S. Department of State vDr. C. Brian Rose, James B. Pritchard operational staff, including 24-hour Governorate of Erbil Professor of Archaeology, University of security. The Board of Directors has JM Kaplan Foundation Pennsylvania; Curator-in-Charge of the set user fees for all groups using IICAH Prince Claus Fund Mediterranean Section, Penn Museum facilities to conduct heritage related of Archaeology and Anthropology programs and educational activities. Donors–Student Scholarships vDr. John Russell, Secretary, By 2013, joint plans for shifting Professor, History of Art Department, more funding responsibility for IICAH Leon Levy Foundation Massachusetts College of Art and Design to the KRG were underway, but the Linda Noe Laine Foundation “To honor vGouhar Shemdin, Vice-Chair, sudden massive influx of refugees the memory of her parents, Governor Heritage Advisor to the KRG Ministry from Syria in 2013, and internally- and Mrs. Anna Gray Noe of Monroe, of Municipalities, Tourism & Heritage displaced persons from across Iraq in Louisiana” (retired) 2014 diverted all discretionary funding Gouhar Hazim Shemdin vJihan Rasheed Sindi, Advisor, to prevent a humanitarian crisis. For Mrs. Babe Stofer Presidency of Council of Ministers, security reasons, classes were cancelled Tru Vue Inc. KRG temporarily in August 2014. In order Walters Art Museum, Elisabeth Packard vDr. Jason Ur, Professor of to meet immediate needs, short courses Education Fund Anthropology, Harvard University in disaster planning and recovery vTerry Drayman-Weisser, past were offered in 2015, funded by the Special Projects Director of Conservation and Technical JM Kaplan Foundation (through the Research, Walters Art Museum (retired) University of Pennsylvania Cultural Bank of America vTimothy Whalen, Director, Getty Heritage Center) and the Prince Claus Brennan Foundation Conservation Institute Fund. Regular classes resumed in Hollings Center for International early 2016 under the direction of the Dialogue Funding Smithsonian with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities Department of State. United States National Committee of the Funding History While the University of Delaware International Council on Monuments After U.S. funding for the initial continues to administer part of the and Sites (US/ICOMOS) project ended in 2010, Iraqi and program, responsibility for academic American cultural heritage professionals program management passed to made a strong case for continuing the Smithsonian’s MCI in 2016.

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In-Kind Contributors HELP THE IICAH We want you to be a part of that community. To make donations American Institute for Conservation of The Smithsonian Institution and to the Smithsonian Fund for the Artistic and Historic Works the University of Delaware continue Iraqi Institute to support this work, Harvard University to provide training and support for contact Jessica S. Johnson, Head of International Institute for Conservation cultural heritage preservation projects Conservation, Museum Conservation The National Trust for Historic in Iraq. As ISIS is pushed out of Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Preservation (US) the country, the damage and loss to 301-238-1218 or [email protected]. Walters Art Museum cultural heritage is becoming more For more information, see: ht tp:// Winterthur Museum and Gardens apparent. Iraq needs help to document, si.edu/mci/english/research/conservation/ University of Arizona salvage, and recover that heritage. The IraqiCulturalHeritage.html University of Delaware community of people who support You can follow the Iraqi Institute on University of Pennsylvania and work with the Iraqi Institute for Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ the Conservation of Antiquities and Iraqiinst Heritage are in a unique position To contact Dr. Abdullah to bring international expertise to a Khorsheed, Director of the Iraqi strong community of Iraqi practitioners Institute, abdullahkhorsheed69@ responsible for Iraq’s cultural heritage. gmail.com.

Iraqi Institute visiting lecturer and students discuss using maps for documenting archaeological sites.

15 Iraqi Institute students visit Diween Citadel near Erbil in April 2019. The ruins are from the Soran , dating sometime before 1600 AD.

Some of the important posts in the Province, SBAH vDirector of the Raparin Subdistrict cultural heritage sector held by IICAH vHead of the Iraqi Museum Office of Antiquities (KRG) graduates include: conservation laboratory vConservators at the museums at vDirector of the Conservation Baghdad, Babylon, Erbil, Koya, and vDirector of the Mosul Museum Laboratory at the Mosul Museum Suleymania vDirector of Training for Archaeologists vDirector of the Conservation vImmediate Past Director of the Syriac at the SBAH Laboratory at the Erbil Civilizations Heritage Museum in Erbil vHead of Heritage Building Section, Museum

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