St. Louis AIA Helps Young Designers Hit by Recession

The St. Louis Chapter AIA is providing financial assistance in professional development to young designers impacted by firm cutbacks in the face of declining work on the boards. AIA issued the following statement in an email to its members:

"Last week, the trustees of the AIA St. Louis Scholarship Fund met. The state of the economy and its devastating effect on our industry and profession was one of our topics. We know that the number of unemployed and under-employed architects and interns continues to grow. Many firms face extinction as more and more construction projects are placed on hold.

"To assist our profession during these uncertain days, the AIA St. Louis Scholarship Fund is allocating funds to be made available to unemployed/underemployed architects and interns on their pathway to licensure. The funds will be processed through the AIA St. Louis office as interest-free loans, to be paid back when full time employment returns, and then on a mutually agreeable and in a reasonable time frame. These are unique times, and we are undertaking a unique way to support the St. Louis architectural community.

"The funds may be borrowed for ARE testing and preparation, LEED certification testing and preparation, or for computer classes for Revit, BIM or programs that will make you a better architect or intern when you return to work. We will also consider applications for other professional growth and development opportunities.

"We know that there are impending deadlines such as the LEED testing deadline and the 3.1 ARE... We want the funds to be available immediately for these deadlines.

"The AIA St. Louis Scholarship Fund is able to undertake this unique stimulus program because of the generosity of its donors and the ongoing support it receives. We therefore, must express our gratitude to the founders and trustees of the Fund for developing and growing the fund to allow us to continue to invest in our profession."

A link to the AIA application form is available by clicking here. Email the form to Michelle Swatek executive director. Email or call 314.621.3484 for more information.