The School of Restoration Arts at Willowbank is extremely honoured to receive this international level of endorsement.
In May 2014, His Majesty King Charles III - The former Prince of Wales - agreed to be The School of Restoration Arts' Royal Patron. The royal patronage was announced during His Majesty’s 17th visit to Canada, and granted on the advice of the Government of Canada. Royal patronage recognises the achievements of organisations and the contributions of different sectors of Canada’s public life. It also reflects the areas of personal interest to His Majesty, of which Willowbank’s approach to bridging heritage with sustainability, is just one.
"Willowbank is devoted to the shift towards a more ecological, sustainable approach. My aim is to support and encourage these kinds of approaches." Noted His Majesty on his decision to be the School’s Royal Patron in 2014.
Exactly ten years after Willowbank first received royal patronage, in mid-May - marking the first anniversary of Their Majestie’s Coronation - we received a letter from The Principal Private Secretary to The King and Queen, The Rt. Hon. Sir Clive Alderton K.C.V.O.
This letter informed Willowbank of the completion of review of the Patronages of The Late Queen, The former Prince of Wales and The former Duchess of Cornwall, stating,
“Following a thorough analysis of over one thousand organisations, His Majesty would be delighted to retain the Patronage of The Willowbank School of Restoration Arts.”
We are ecstatic that His Majesty continues to see value in the Willowbank mission. For The School of Restoration Arts, this patronage means a link with established initiatives, including the King’s Foundation.
Ten years on, this partnership continues to thrive; two of our students are heading to the Foundation’s Summer School this Summer to develop their knowledge of traditional architecture, design, building and repair techniques (thanks to generous investment from The Humeniuk Foundation).
President of The School of Restoration Arts, Dr. Faisal Arain, shared his joy at His Majesty's continuing endorsement of the School, noting,
“The royal patronage strengthens our diploma program’s core aim to combine heritage conservation with environmental awareness, and creative design and development. These distinct three specialized domains are brought together at Willowbank to create a holistic approach to the creation of healthy communities and sustainable practices.”
His Majesty's choice to retain Patronage of The Willowbank School of Restoration Arts is a tremendous honour. We are very grateful for his public support, and look forward to developing this relationship further.
A special thanks also to the vast Willowbank community of whom there are many members who at some point in the past or present, have advocated for the Willowbank mission, and helped put Willowbank on the map.
Willowbank: proudly training the heritage conservators of tomorrow.