Austin Foundation for Architecture Recognizes Local Leaders Working to Better the Urban Experience in Central Texas.

December 12, 2008 – Last week the Austin Foundation for Architecture (AFA) inaugurated an awards program that recognizes local leaders who raise the quality of the urban experience in Central Texas. At the Foundation’s first annual awards ceremony since its formation in 2007, AFA recognized two champions of the built environment – Honorable Senator Kirk Watson, and the Children’s Medical Center Foundation of Central Texas.

Local Columnist Attends Dinners by Design

May 21, 2009 – Michael Barnes, social editor for the Austin American Statesman, joined the AFA at one of its “Discover Design” dinners. Please click here for the story.

AFA Considers Tuition Assistance for Leadership Austin

Austin Foundation for Architecture (AFA) is a philanthropic organization dedicated to developing interest and appreciation for architecture and design in Central Texas by supporting programs that foster public understanding of our built environments and future leaders from Austin’s architectural community who can shape the public dialog about design.

In recent years AFA has provided tuition assistance to worthy applicants from the architectural community who were accepted into Leadership Austin’s Essential program (http://www.leadershipaustin.org/ ).  The Essential “curriculum focuses on regional issues, leadership skills, and the building of strong networks to encourage innovative, collaborative solutions to the region’s challenges.”  The application deadline for the 2010 Essential class is June 15, 2009.

Anyone interested in applying for a tuition assistance grant from AFA can contact the Grant Awards Committee chair Al York (ayork@mckinneyyork.com or (512) 476-0201 with questions about the grant process.  Letters requesting a grant should describe the applicant’s record of leadership within the architectural community and the applicant’s plans for utilizing the skills and connections garnered from the Essential class.  If received by Monday, June 8, it is likely a decision on the application could reached before the Essential class applications are due June 15.

While AFA has supported tuition assistance for Leadership Austin classes in the past, there is no guarantee that the board will make an award this year.