Issues & AdvocacyState

Supporting Citizen Architects: AIA National Component Assistance Grants
By Tatyana Brown, Manager, Public Policy

In 2011, the AIA National Component Assistance Grants directly helped over 80 members looking for better ways to collaborate with government officials, nonprofits, and the private sector. AIA Components have launched a number of new leadership training programs in the past several years, and this annual grant seeks to accelerate the trend.

Initiatives supported by the grant in 2011 have received significant positive feedback and can impact countless more members when replicated by other chapters. Two of the programs – AIA Baltimore’s CivicLAB and the blox Leadership Training Program at AIA Kansas – were highlighted earlier this year. Five other recipients of the 2011 grant have also shared their lessons and materials for use by others in the AIA:

• AIA Cincinnati – VISION, a 10-month series supported by the 2011 grant to expand participation from small architecture firms.

• AIA Western Massachusetts – Semester-long pilot graduate course “Architects as Leaders”, taught at U. MA, Amherst by an accomplished citizen architect and prominent special guests.

• AIA Baton Rouge – Training session with “Living Your Life as a Leader” Toolkit, led by civically engaged architects and the President/CEO of the local area chamber.

• AIA Colorado West – Scholarships for members to participate in local leadership programs.

• AIA Westchester Hudson Valley – Sustainable Design Database, launching in September 2012 to support members and municipal leaders in advocating for healthier, environmentally responsible architecture.

Like many of the component leadership programs, those supported by this annual initiative at AIA National frequently assist Associates and members who have been licensed for ten years or less. Among the topics covered by these leadership programs is understanding the organization and operations of local government, exploring advocacy issues, and advancing participants’ leadership skills.

For additional information about these initiatives and the annual grant program, please e-mail Tatyana Brown at tatyanabrown@aia.org or call 202-626-7385.

Back to Issues and Advocacy News