May 24, 2006—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has launched a nationwide community service program titled ‘Blueprint for America: A Gift to the Nation’ by funding the first 60 grants for collaborative visioning initiatives between AIA architects and their communities created to produce a shared vision for a more livable future.
The AIA will provide two million dollars in the next six months to fund up to 200 grants.
The Blueprint for America initiative is the primary program of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA. The theme of AIA150 is “Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future.” However, the main focus of the anniversary will be the Blueprint for America, a nationwide initiative empowering citizens to share in creating a vision for their communities’ design priorities.
From Lubbock to Rhode Island, Birmingham to Puerto Rico, AIA architects and members in more than 160 communities will participate in Blueprint initiatives that utilize community engagement, in a collaborative process, and quality design as keys to improving a communitys livability. Blueprint initiatives are a gift to the community from the members of the AIA, and the members participation in the initiative is provided at no fee.
Of the 60 initiatives selected to receive funding grants, the issues addressed include revitalizing a downtown, designing a master plan to save a historic community, dealing with homelessness, working with state legislators to build a coalition focused on green design, and rezoning land along a light-rail system.
For more information, visit the AIA Web site.
