WHAT IS THE SHADOW AN ARCHITECT PROGRAM?
The Shadow an Architect Program is an initiative of the AIA Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Its purpose is to introduce students from traditionally underrepresented groups to the profession of architecture.
Typically a one-day event, the Shadow an Architect Program features fun, interactive design activities, and sometimes includes a tour of an architecturally significant building or an exhibit floor. Students and volunteer mentors are placed into small groups to allow for easy discussion; and students are encouraged to ask their volunteer mentors whatever questions they may have about studying and practicing architecture.
The Shadow an Architect Program has been duplicated at the annual conference of the National Organization of Minority Architects. And we encourage our members to host a Program at their firms, components, and within their communities.
Continue reading for more information on how to host a Shadow an Architect Program.
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HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The “Shadow an Architect” program began at the AIA 2007 National Convention and Design Exposition in San Antonio and was sponsored by the AIA Diversity Committee.
During that first year, fifty-five high school and community college students shadowed architect mentors for a day, attending the General Session and touring the Expo floor.
The Shadow an Architect Program was expanded to include the Grassroots conference as well as convention, and has since become an annual event sponsored by the Board Diversity Council.
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SHADOW AN ARCHITECT PROGRAM GUIDE
10 Steps to a Successful Shadow an Architect Program
1. Select a day, time, and location for your Program.
2. Set your agenda. Will the day begin with breakfast? Will there be a guest speaker?
3. Set your budget. Will you offer meals or provide transportation?
4. Determine the age/grade and number of student participants, and how many mentors you’ll need (we recommend 2 mentors for every 4-5 students)
5. Contact schools and/or community groups (National Urban League, Girl Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc.) for participants.
6. Sign up volunteer mentors (Architect and Associate AIA members, NOMA and NOMAS members, etc.).
7. Compile Shadow an Architect Program materials.
8. Send confirmations to participants and volunteers.
9. Host your Shadow an Architect Program and have fun!
10. Tell us how it went! Add your comments to our Diversity and Inclusion Facebook Page and upload photos from your event.
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RECENT PROGRAMS
2011 AIA Convention
For the fifth year in a row, AIA Diversity and Inclusion hosted the Shadow an Architect Program at the AIA National Convention, held this year in New Orleans. Student participants included freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from the Priestly Charter School of Architecture and Construction.
After introductions from John Padilla, FAIA, 2011-2012 AIA Vice President; Ken Martin, AIA, NOMA, and Laura Meador, Director, South Quadrant, American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). Students were placed in small groups with volunteer mentors, where they designed their dream school. The main event consisted of a walk-through of the Expo Floor, where the students were exposed to hundreds of exhibitors, getting a unique glimpse into this side of the architecture profession.
Thank you to all of our volunteer mentors, many of whom have returned year after year to participate in this inspiring and worthwhile event.
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2011 AIA Grassroots
Thank you to our volunteer mentors who participated in our February 3rd event!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted the Shadow an Architect Program as part of the 2011 AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. Students from the Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High School in Washington, DC, met their volunteer mentors at the Grand Hyatt.
The day's events began with a morning Meet-and-Greet. Jeffrey Potter, FAIA, AIA President Elect, and George Padilla, AIA, AIA Vice-President, welcomed the students and mentors and provided background information on their own careers and their decisions to become architects.
Later in the day, the students and volunteer mentors took a tour of the new Watha Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library in Washington, DC, led by Christiane DeJong, AIA, LEED AP, a member of the Library design team at Davis Brody Bond.
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