David Campbell, who died in September, was both an art lover and a major benefactor of the University of Toronto including the Museum Studies program.
He is remembered fondly by students and faculty for his generosity, insights and innovative contributions to training upcoming generations of museum and art professionals.
More than twenty years ago, when Museum Studies was dealing with a funding crisis for student internships, David Campbell stepped forward. At a series of relaxed and causal lunches that were held to discuss the role of private collectors and donors as they relate to institutions. Campbell not only shared his knowledge and contacts generously, but listened keenly to what students had to say. He wanted to learn more about how they could benefit from different types of training.
Partly as a result of those meetings, the Campbell family created the invaluable Vivian and David Campbell Family Foundation Summer Training Fellowships. “These internships truly make a difference in the careers and futures of many of our students,” said Faculty of Information Dean, Wendy Duff. The fellowship program has succeeded in helping Museum Studies students in exactly the ways its generous benefactors intended.
