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February 25, 2021Seeking Co-chairs for a New Committee: Justice in the Built Environment
AIA New York is seeking applications for co-chairs for the organization’s new justice-focused committee. Coming out of the chapter’s “Open Forum: Architecture for Justice” event on January 25 (see notes from the event in topic’s post below), the newly launched committee will develop programming and advocacy to explore how architecture and architects can effect broader social justice goals. Issues to be explored include restorative justice, design justice, racial equity, unconscious bias, healing, jails, social justice, and ethics.
The committee co-chairs will coordinate meetings and facilitate member-driven initiatives that offer a place to exchange ideas and address topics of interest while also planning public panels on related topics. We strongly encourage members who are interested in the intersection of justice and architecture to participate in the committee and consider stepping into these leadership roles.
Interested AIA members can apply by sending a copy of their CV and a 250-word cover letter outlining their interest in the committee, why they feel suited to lead it, and in what direction they hope to take it, to Joseph Corbin, jcorbin@aiany.org. Please specify “Justice Co-Chair” in the subject line. The deadline for applying is 5:00 pm on Monday, March 1.
Architecture for Justice
Among the action items outlined in AIA New York's September 2020 position statement on the Criminal Justice System was the re-envisioning of the AIANY Architecture for Justice Committee. The newly launched committee will develop programming and advocacy to help mitigate the intrinsic racism within the American criminal justice system, with a particular focus on exploring architecture’s role in oppression. We anticipate that the committee’s efforts will explore how architecture and architects can affect broader social justice goals.