The IIDA Foundation and IA Interior Architects (IA) has announced IA Interior Architects' Diversity in Design Scholarship Fund, created to support diverse design communities by providing educational scholarships.
The inaugural Fund was established to recognize that promoting diversity in design is paramount in making the world of design a more inclusive and innovative place. As the Foundation's primary mission is to advance the interior design profession through education, research, and knowledge, the five-year partnership with IA is an exciting opportunity to enrich the industry by recognizing outstanding students.
"Diversity of background, experiences and identities is vital to the future of our industry, as these varied perspectives create environments in which truly novel ideas can flourish," said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. "We are appreciative that IA Interior Architects shares these values and are excited to leverage this scholarship to continue our focus on bringing more diversity to the profession."
Students currently enrolled in a design or architecture program are encouraged to participate by writing a 500-word essay that expresses their point of view on the world of design through different lenses and how diversity and innovation are interrelated. Each year for the duration of the partnership, six students will be awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.
"At IA Interior Architects, our commitment to the future of interior architecture is a firm-wide passion," stated Tom Powers and David Bourke, Co-presidents/CEOs of IA Interior Architects. "This translates into a desire to mentor the development of young, visionary designers within our studios. We also recognize that the future of design begins at the university level. IA is proud to be part of this new IIDA Foundation initiative, and we hope this scholarship will play a part in moving that cause forward."
Submissions opened on September 5, 2018, and the application deadline is October 26, 2018. Recipients will be announced in December 2018. Graduate and undergraduate students that are currently enrolled in a design or architecture program may enter.