The AIA and Hanley Wood have made two grants to AIA components this year, as part of the annual Opportunity Fund to support AIA component initiatives. Both winning programs promote broader access to the profession. AIA DC organizes its Design Like a Girl mentor program that pairs girls age 11–13 with women practitioners. AIA Miami‘s BAM! Black Architects in the Making program offers workshops for middle and high school students in underserved communities, building on the chapter’s successful Architects in the Making program.
Twenty components applied this year. “I was incredibly impressed by the quality of the submissions,” says Ned Cramer, editor-in-chief of ARCHITECT and vice president, editorial, at Hanley Wood, who selected the winners. “They’re a testament to the incredible efforts of AIA components around the country and around the world.”
Last year’s winners were AIA Detroit, for a series of events intended to promote best business practices among it membership, and AIA Las Vegas, for a mentorship program in conjunction with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students.
Funding for the Opportunity Fund grants is provided by Hanley Wood, publisher of ARCHITECT. Both winning components will receive $5,000.