Toronto: December 7, 2022 – Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc is pleased to announce our new sponsorship with Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, Canada’s Premier Heritage Conservation School. Ecclesiastical will be donating $30,000 for 2nd year student bursaries over three years (2023-2025).
“As a specialist insurer, we provide tailored insurance solutions to many sectors, including the arts, culture and heritage community. We know the importance of heritage conservation and sustainability, and Willowbank teaches its students how to do this important conservation work,” said David Huebel, President of Ecclesiastical. “Ecclesiastical is proud to contribute to the learning of our country’s next generation of heritage conservationists,” David continued.
To kick off this sponsorship, members of the Ecclesiastical team visited Willowbank for a tour of the facility, meeting some students and making a cheque presentation.
Located near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Willowbank offers a unique three-year diploma program, pioneering an innovative approach to learning about heritage conservation. Combining hands-on and theory courses, Willowbank is training the heritage professionals of the future. After completing the program, students graduate with a Heritage Conservation diploma.
“This generous donation is an investment in our program and our students,” said Caitlin Wooll, Director of Willowbank School of Restoration Arts. “The bursaries will afford students who may otherwise have struggled with 2nd year tuition the peace of mind to focus entirely on their education, rather than how to make ends meet. Willowbank and the future bursary recipients are so grateful to Ecclesiastical.”
Photo credit: Julia Hodgson, Class of ’25, Willowbank