How to Apply
AIA NY CLP Logo 2018 1500px

Program Description

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. And attend one of our upcoming info sessions to learn more about the program:

March 29 at 6:30 PM (In Person)
April 4 at 8:30 AM (Virtual)

Questions? Please read our FAQs or email CLP@aiany.org.

 

Schedule 

Selected applicants are expected to attend and participate in all program events. Development sessions will take place on Fridays from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. 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 session. Concept development and logistics briefing sessions, as well as public events and their rehearsals, will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on the dates listed below. Teambuilding sessions, as well as planning for the development sessions and public events, will require additional time.

2023 Dates:
Pre-Program Dates:
March 15       Applications open
March 29      Info Session & Happy Hour
April 4           Info Session
May 1             Applications due
May 24          Participants announced

2023 Program Dates:
June 17         Full-day program kickoff
June 22        Concept development session
June 29        Logistics briefing
TBD*            Teambuilding
TBD*            Teambuilding
TBD*            Teambuilding
July 14          Development session 1
Aug 4            Development session 2
Aug 25          Development session 3
Sept 15          Development session 4
Sept 29         Development session 5
TBD               Public event rehearsal, Team 1
Nov 7 or 9    Public event 1
TBD               Public event rehearsal, Team 2
Nov 30          Public event 2
Dec 19           Program conclusion

*Please note that these will be conducted throughout the program and may occur on a Saturday 

Most sessions and programs will be held at the Center for Architecture as permitted by health and safety guidelines. Participants should expect to attend in-person.

 

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 

Create a single PDF (max 10 MB; max 20 pages), which includes the information outlined below.

Format your file name as “last name_CLP_2023”.

Please complete the online application intake form and then upload your application file as a single PDF to the site designated in the intake confirmation. Wait to be sure your file is fully uploaded. All submissions are due by 11:59 pm on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Submission Materials: (20 pages max)

Applicants will be reviewed for their interest in civic leadership, engagement, and advocacy work. Resumes will be used for context and will not count towards the selection criteria. External documents and links will not be considered in the submission.

  • Cover Page: Name, email address, AIA number and/ or NOMA membership status (if applicable)
  • Resume
  • Biography (250 words max)
  • Two (2) Responses. Each response should be in written format (500 words max):
      • Response 1:  Describe your interest in the Civic Leadership Program. Your response may include:
        • Why civic engagement, awareness, and advocacy in the design field are important to you
        • How you have participated in community engagement, public processes, and advocacy in the past
        • How you would like to grow as a civic leader. Include skills, awareness, and experiences you would like to develop through the Civic Leadership Program to serve as a better leader, advocate, and design professional in your interest areas
      • Response 2: How Does the built environment overlap with advocacy and civic leadership?
        • 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
        • You may expand on your vision for the future of equity and/or change in the built environment
  • Letters of Recommendation. One (1) required and one (1) optional. Letters cannot be written by individuals related to the applicant.
      • Required from your current employer or supervisor speaking to your professional experience. If not currently employed, a former employer or a professor
      • 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 Material
      • Samples of relevant experience demonstrating interest in civic engagement or advocacy (projects, essays, work samples).

Apply Here >>

BROWSER UPGRADE RECOMMENDED

Our website has detected that you are using a browser that will prevent you from accessing certain features. An upgrade is recommended to experience. Use the links below to upgrade your exisiting browser.