DEI Statement

June 23, 2020

We know everyone is grappling with how to move forward in the midst of this time of uncertainty and change. As detailed in our statement issued with our partner organization AIA Austin, we recognize the responsibility of the Austin Foundation for Architecture as a cultural organization to understand systems of power and histories of oppression and to work to dismantle them. It is within our power, as individuals and as a cultural organization, to work to right these wrongs.

At our core, we believe that architecture is key to solving the problems of today and the future. Cities—which have proven their resilience time and time again—will be reimagined by architects, designers, thought leaders, and the public-at-large to support new ways of living while also promoting health, safety, welfare, and equity, as well as creativity and inspiration.

Here are the decisions we have made recently to continue our mission:

We are re-envisioning our grant program as a mechanism for engaging in collaborative, public programming with community partners. We’re working on an annual “call for collaborators” for exhibitions and programs that reflect and serve all Austinites
We will establish a separate scholarship/fellowship program (including opportunities at the K-12, college, and professional levels) to continue to fulfill the leadership development part of our mission—with diversity always a key factor, especially with our underrepresented Black and Brown communities
We will continue to collaborate with other organizations and our City to be the heart of discourse and education about the power of design in Austin

As we lay the groundwork for our next chapter, we hope that you will stay connected with us. Sign up for our emails and follow us on Instagram or Facebook (watch for news about our P A R K S P A C E installations and an upcoming mobile “Guide to Austin Architecture”!). We also invite you explore resources from our partner organization AIA Austin (such as the Architecture @ Home resource roundup and Design Talks speaker series). And we greatly appreciate gifts of any size to help us continue to serve Austin in the months and years ahead.

The Austin Foundation for Architecture is hopeful for the future. As Austinites emerge from the current pandemic and engage in ongoing equality work, we will be here to help shape the city in which we want to live—from finding new ways to celebrate and engage with Austin’s cherished places and spaces, to envisioning and creating new ones that will support and inspire meaningful ways of being for years to come.