Working towards licensure or thinking of a non-traditional career? Associate membership is open to variety of professionals and is represented by the National Associates Committee. Interested in becoming an Associate AIA member? Learn more about Associate AIA membership criteria and benefits.

National Associates Committee

The National Associates Committee is dedicated to representing and advocating for Associates, both mainstream and non-traditional, in the national, regional, state, and local components of the AIA. View the 2009 Roster.

Get Involved
Contact your NAC Regional Associate Director or your local component to learn more about local networking and education opportunities.

Discuss Now: NAC Blog | Archinect | InsideArch | ARE Forum

Programs and Initiatives

Changing Times | Time for Change: Practice, Productivity and Effectiveness Conference
September 24–26, 2009 | Chicago
Architects practice in a world that is changing at a breathtaking rate, requiring near-constant reassessment of business models and professional practices. “Changing Times | Time for Change” will explore the major areas of challenge and opportunity that are reshaping architecture practice.

Intern Titling Survey
In the past, Associate AIA members have had little input on their defined professional title. Unable to claim the title of Architect, associates have been referred to as Intern Architects, Architectural Interns, or just as Interns. We would like your input to help us get a better idea of what you prefer and what title you think best reflects the role of associates in the profession. Share your thoughts on survey for Architects or survey for Associates.

Internship and Career Survey
In 2003, the National Associates Committee, in conjunction with ArchVoices, launched the 2003 Internship and Career Survey. The NAC Survey Task Force championed this initiative and is committed to producing a findings document to be published online later this year. The group’s ongoing goals are to develop and implement a survey to collect and evaluate information about interns and alternative career professionals, a process which will be reevaluated every two to three years.

NAC Response and Position Papers
The NAC often crafts position papers and responds to the collaterals’ press releases and positions. While the NAC is a committee within the AIA, bound by its rules and regulations, the NAC speaks out in support of the Associate members. Six Month Rule White Paper | NAC Diversity White Paper

Request for Qualifications for Professional Architect Mentoring Program
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Component seeks a management consultant to develop a Mentoring Program Specific to the Architectural Profession. Apprenticeship has been the taproot of the architectural profession for hundreds of years. Over the past several decades this tradition of cultivation has been stifled by advances in technology and the increasing pace of the construction industry. Updated Frequently Asked Questions are attached to the RFQ.

Publications and Communications

AssociateNews
The semi-monthly newsletter produced by the National Associate Committee for the Associate membership of the AIA and includes the latest information and events from around the country. Contact the AssociateNews Editor.

Forward
The scholarly journal produced by the National Associate Committee to provide a voice for Associate AIA members within the Institute. The Forward publications staff strives to inform the members about provocative issues facing the profession of architecture today. Contact the Forward Director.

NAC Annual Report
The NAC publishes an annual report at the end of each year for distribution to AIA leadership at all Institute levels, collateral leadership, and architectural press to promote and the endeavors, activities, programs, and accomplishments of the NAC. 2006 | 2007 | 2008

AIA Best Practices
Find best practices on Public Service and Community Involvement at the local level and Staff Development including mentoring. Created specifically to encourage the support of interns in the profession, see the IDP Outstanding Firm Awards Program Best Practices.

Scholarships, Grants, and Awards

Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship Fund
The National Associates Committee alumni maintain a scholarship fund to remember their friend and colleague, Jason Pettigrew, Assoc. AIA and to assist other Associate AIA members in their professional development. Donate now.

Intern Development Program Outstanding Firm Awards Program
Since 1991, the IDPAC has recognized firms from across the country who actively embrace the Intern Development Program and demonstrate their commitment by making the path to licensure an integral part of the firm’s culture through the IDP Outstanding Firm Awards program.

AIA Associates Award
The AIA Associates Award is the highest award given to individual associate AIA members who best exemplify the highest qualities of leadership and have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to their component or region's membership, in the community, in professional organizations, and/or in the design and construction industries.

Emerging Professionals Component Grant
The College of Fellows has established a small grants fund to assist AIA components in the development of programs which foster the mission of Young Architects and Associates. These funds may be used to enhance the activities of an existing Emerging Professionals group or as seed money to help start a new one. Because one of the goals of the component grants program is to make Emerging Professionals groups a vital component activity, an explanation or demonstration of component commitment and support is essential.

Contact: Comments or Questions? Send an email to nac@aia.org