Outreach » Architects in the Community

Architects in Community
Here are some of the many ways architects go beyond practice and get involved in their communities.


Minnesota Architectural Foundation
The Minnesota Architectural Foundation, created in 1970, exists for charitable, scientific & educational purposes relating to the encouragement & improvement of the architectural environment. The foundation provides advocacy and capital for the advancement of architecture in Minnesota through the activities of its General Fund and four goal-specific funds. 


Minnesota Design Team (MDT)
A volunteer group of architets, landscape architects, unban designers, planners and other experts in design and community development that has been helping communities around Minnesota to develop shared visions for improving their physical and environmental designs since 1983.


Architecture MN Magazine
Architecture Minnesota, the primary public outreach tool of the American Institute of Architects Minnesota, is published to inform the public about architecture designed by AIA Minnesota members and to communicate the spirit and value of quality architecture to both the public and the membership. AM's column, Citizen Architect, covers who our architect-community leaders are. The Citizen Architect's Nov/Dec 08 feature highlighted the Minnesota chapter of Architecture for Humanity as quite possibly the first responders of the architecture world.


Architecture in the Schools
This AIA Minnesota committee partners with Sidelines Education to bring community planning to Minnesota school children. Sidelines’ award-winning Sightseeing curriculum (formerly “Environmental Literacy”) teaches children in grades 4-8 how see the built environment and substantively engage in the public planning process.


Search for Shelter Charrette
The Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) addresses affordable housing and homelessness issues. Architects and other designers come together during the annual Search for Shelter Charrette, next held in January 2011. The weekend-long charrette benefits local housing agencies.