The Civic Leadership Program (CLP) is open to architects, designers, and urban planners who are interested in exploring the intersection of design, advocacy, and policy. AIA New York is excited to once again collaborate with nycoba|NOMA on this year’s program.
After completion of this program, CLP cohorts will have:
- Cultivated their leadership skills
- Developed facilitation and collaboration skills for working with communities that architects, designers, and planners serve
- Gained awareness of civic issues in NYC and ways to get involved
- Met and engaged with local political leaders
The CLP includes a self-led research project, developed in partnership with another program participant, on a topic of the pair’s choosing. The research will culminate in a development session, which is a three- to four hour-long presentation or workshop delivered by the pair to the larger CLP cohort. Participants are also tasked with developing, as a team of five, a public event hosted at the Center for Architecture. Additional training and workshops will be conducted with various organizations to strengthen and coach participants on effective community action and advocacy. Following the development session and public event, CLP participants will draft write-ups summarizing major themes and takeaways for the AIA New York and Center for Architecture newsletter.
Please refer to the previous class yearbooks for additional information.
Program Schedule
Selected applicants are expected to attend and participate in all program events. Four development sessions will typically take place on Fridays from 1:00–5:00 pm with lunch included. Participants should plan to set aside three to five hours per week for research, coordination, and planning in the weeks leading up to their development sessions, along with concept development and logistics meetings for public events and rehearsals. Team building sessions, as well as planning for the development sessions and public events, will require additional time.
Program Dates *
June 6 – Full Day Program Kickoff
June 18 – Logistics Session: Concept Development, Logistics Briefing, AIANY Orientation, and Staff Meet and Greet
July 10 – Skills Building (Offsite or CFA)
July 17 – Development Session 1
July 24 – Development Session 2
August 7 – Team Building w/ Alumni (Offsite)
August 14 – Development Session 3
August 21 – Skill Building – Led by nycoba|NOMA
September 3 – Development Session 4
September 18 – Cohort Happy Hour Program
Oct0ber 8 – Public Event 1
November 5 – Public Event 2
December 1 – Program Conclusion
*Dates are subject to input by cohort and Advisors once selected
Eligibility
The Civic Leadership Program is committed to broadening equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a stronger profession. The application is open to all local design professionals who are not current students; however, accepted participants must be or become AIA, Associate AIA, International Associate AIA, and/or nycoba|NOMA members at the start of the program.
Application Process
The deadline for submissions is April 3 at 5pm ET.
- Name, email address, AIA number and/ or NOMA membership status (if applicable)
- Resume
- A max 3-page PDF including your academic background and a brief outline of professional experience that includes roles in projects and/or firms.
- Biography (250 words max) & Headshot
- Three (3) Responses. Each response should be in written format (500 words max)
- Response 1 – Describe your interest in the Civic Leadership Program.
- Response 2 – How does the built environment overlap with advocacy and civic leadership?
- Response 3 – Please list and describe up to three areas of interest relevant to NYC that you would like to pursue through your participation in CLP. You are not required to demonstrate previous experience in these areas.
- Letters of Recommendation
- One (1) required – Required from your current employer or supervisor speaking to your professional experience. If not currently employed, a former employer or a professor.
- One (1) optional – Someone who can speak to your personal character, leadership style, and/or teamwork skills; this can include a mentor, mentee, peer, or past/current collaborator
- Supporting Materials (optional)
A max 10-pages of samples of relevant experience demonstrating interest in civic engagement or advocacy (projects, essays, work samples).
Questions? Please read our FAQs or email Jamie Teich at [email protected].