NCNOMA: Path to Fellowship

I’m excited to return again to do this terrific virtual program I co-developed with the leaders of the North Carolina Chapter of NOMA. Our intention is to help architects at all stages of their careers to understand, cultivate and prepare for a future AIA College of Fellows submission, but there’s more to this story. Read on…

I do these sessions as a volunteer because my mission is greater than advancing diversity in the AIA College of Fellows: I hope to inspire all architects to gain the knowledge and skills covered in these venues to better express and share the meaning and value of their work.

Storytelling has been a connecting thread for societies across hundreds of years. This should be proof enough of its potential value for architects seeking to share all they do and what architecture means to people. We in the profession spend too much time talking, and learning to talk to—thanks to our academic programs—other architects and purveyors of architecture. That sphere of reach is simply not enough. We create architecture for people. People use architecture, but not everyone understands what architects do, how architects work, and all that the design of spaces does for their experience. Stories can get us there.

That’s a long rant in support of the NCNOMA program—you can register here—but perhaps my little monologue will help others understand that learning to write, learning to tell stories, for me and those who’ve worked with me, is about much more than an accolade.

This year’s session, like last , is being facilitated by our colleagues at AIA North Carolina. I’ve also had the honor of teaching the NCNOMA inspired program in Virginia.

Cheers.