Activities and Projects
2011 Activities and Highlights
2010 Activities and Highlights
2009 Activities and Highlights
Youth Outreach and Education
Since 1999, the Assembly of Architects' Outreach and Education programs have become the focal points for this organization's purpose and contribution to its industry, as well as the communities these young professionals-in-training will eventually serve. AOA has long recognized the current educational and professional deficiences of supporting college students and young emerging professionals to succeed in their industries. As a means to correct these deficiencies (that were not available to its original members), the Assembly of Architects through it's Professional Leadership Development Program, will provide mentoring and internship opportunities through its professional membership and their firms.
The Assembly of Architects is forward-thinking in raising awareness of career options for students K-12. Through their interactive 8-week training program called "The Drawing Board" Project, they are able to instill the importance of promoting the study of history, art, science, math and technology as a means to to a successful career path in the environmental design profession. These students also have the community organizations and governemtn officials in panning the future directions of their neighborhoods.
By developing and building human talent and capacity, the Assembly of Architects believes that these strategic programs can only create a win-win situation in outcomes leading to :
- professionals-of-color having more successful career paths through better opportunities.
- bringing more tallent, ideas and experiences to help shape the future directions of creating healthy, livable, and sustainable communities for everyone, and
- competing and serving in communities here and abroad.
Assembly of Architects Student Chapter
The Assembly of Architects (AOA) has long recognized the current educational and professional deficiencies of supporting college students and young emerging professionals to succeed in their industries. As a means to correct these deficiencies the Assembly of Architects Student Chapter was established in September 2008. The Student Chapter is dedicated to supporting students at the elementary, middle, and high school ages through the college and young professional levels by providing professional development through networking events, internships, job placement, mentorship opportunities, community outreach projects, workshops, studio critiques, site tours, and more.
Career Fairs and Classroom Workshops
In the spring of 2008, the Assembly of Architects conducted a number of activities in the classroom to introduce students to the architectural profession; one of the activities was a one hour workshop with high school students at Henry High School where three volunteers from the Assembly worked with students on architectural projects. In addition to conducting activities and workshops in the classroom the Assembly participated in career fairs at a number of inner city schools.
Community Outreach
Primary Platform
In 2007 the Assembly identified through a number of meetings with their professional partners they would like to take a proactive stance on increasing the number people of color in the Architectural profession, specifically increasing the number of licensed professionals of color. Our first point of focus will be on increasing the 0.2% of African American women who are licensed in the profession. In 2008 further refinement was added to the platform and the Assembly has sought partners to move this important project forward.
Selby Avenue Charette
The Assembly of Architects collaborated with Selby Area CDC and other community partners on a half-day design charette in fall of 2009 to identify development opportunities. A team of designers, planners, and community members came up with design ideas at 4 sites along Selby Avenue.
Organization Activities
The Assembly of Architects (AOA) has participated in several community activities and events over recent years in an effort to further our mission and goals. It is our way of ensuring that our communities are aware of our interest and commitment to helping them achieve a better quality of life.
Some of these past activities have included:
- Partnering with the Selby Avenue Community Development Corporation (SACDC), and assisting with the facilitation of a “visioning” process by bringing community stakeholders and neighbors together in an effort to reaffirm the significance of Selby Avenue to the community and city’s vitality.
- Partnering with the Saint Paul Foundation and other organizations to spearhead the Clarence W. Wigington exhibit at the Fredrick R. Weisman Museum
- Organizing a design charette at the Midway Family YMCA which involved engaging youth in a participatory design process to provide input for their vision of a proposed new YMCA facility.
- St. Thomas University Collaboration - The program objective was to have teams of students that were divided into three groups, work with a “sponsoring” non-profit organization on three projects to hone their project management skills.
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President’s Message:
First, I need to commend the Assembly of Architects’ Board of Directors and professional volunteers on their faithful dedication and commitment to our organization. I’d also like to thank our community and corporate sponsors, and the many non-profit partnerships for collaborating with the Assembly of Architect volunteers on making positive changes for our communities in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Our joint ventures demonstrated the benefits of quality relationships achieving common goals.
Next, I’d like to take a moment to talk about quality. Our organization is comprised of people-of-color engaged in the process of creating quality buildings, both locally and nationally. They are the most qualified professionals today participating in the design of education, healthcare, public and cultural institutions. They bring a unique cultural perspective to the design aspect of our urban communities. They represent business owners in minority business enterprises, partners and principals in majority firms, architects, designers, facility managers, construction managers, urban planners, developers, artists, educators and community activists.
I would also like to commend the Assembly for an extraordinary year in 2009. We fulfilled our mission in a number areas: 1) continuing our platform of advocating for professionals of color 2) we furthered our mission by continuing to participate in career fairs and presenting to secondary students the benefits of entering the profession, the Assembly presented or had a booth at a number of inner city schools during the spring semester of the school year.
Finally, I have heard references to “we cannot find an architect-of-color” on several occasions. I would like to state, unequivocally, there are over 30 professional partners in the Assembly of Architect, who represent the highest quality professionals of color in the region. They continue to leave a positive mark on our communities through their talents and creative contributions. On that note, it is my hope that our work in the Assembly of Architects, which includes building talent and capacity, will change the perception of available personnel, and create many hiring opportunities for years to come.
My sincere and best wishes to each and every partner on your personal and professional pursuits.
Very truly yours,
Nathan Johnson
