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K-12 Education

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The Center for Architecture promotes public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 students and teachers, families, and the general public.

We’ve launched Architecture At Home, a series of family-friendly activities and design challenges on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Outside of the current COVID-19 pandemic, our programs take place at the Center for Architecture and in schools and community sites throughout the New York metropolitan area.

Sponsors

K-12 educational programs are supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the NYC Council, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Philanthropic Arts Program, and New York Building Foundation, and generous donations from Lu-Shawn Thompson; Judy Hunt; Christina R. Davis; Sciame; Type A Projects; CNY Group; Loci Architecture; Loring Consulting Engineers; ODA New York; Peter Sampton, FAIA; John B. Simoni, Jr. Esq; Vanguard Construction & Development, and generous individual and corporate donors.

K-12 Summer Program, 2017. Photo: Erik Bardin.
K-12 Learning By Design Program, 2016. Photo: Center for Architecture.
K-12 Student Day, Skyscrapers, 5th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.
K-12 Student Day, Skyscrapers, 5th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.
K-12 Summer Program, 2017. Photo: Erik Bardin.
K-12 Student Day, Green Architecture, 3rd Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.
K-12 Student Day, Green Architecture, 3rd Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.
K-12 Student Day, Exhibition Program, 5th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.
K-12 Student Day, Exhibition Program, 5th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.

Youth & Family Programs

After-School Programs for kids grades 3-12

Weekly after-school programs for students in grades 3-12, introducing architecture and design through exploration, drawing, and hands-on building activities.

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Family Days weekend programs for kids ages 5-13

Weekend public programs about architecture and design for youth ages 5-13 and their families.

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Vacation Programs for kids grades 3-12

Three-day school vacation programs for students in grades 3-12, exploring topics in architecture and design through art and design activities, walking tours, and site visits.

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Summer Programs for kids grades 3-12

Week-long summer programs for students in grades 3-12, exploring topics in architecture and design through art and design activities, walking tours, and site visits.

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K-12 School Programs

Student Day K-12 workshops at the Center for Architecture

K-12 Student Day, Scale Model Building, 7th Grade. Photo: Center for Architecture.

Student Day workshops are two-hour, hands-on programs for school groups interested in enriching their classroom learning through the disciplines of architecture, engineering, urban planning, and design.

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Learning By Design:NY K-12 in-school residency program

Learning By Design:NY is a multi-session classroom residency program that weaves architecture and design into the classroom curriculum.

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Professional Development design teaching strategies for instructors

Offered to classroom teachers, professional development workshops introduce participants to built environment education teaching strategies, activities, and curricula.

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Teen Programs

Design Discovery weekend workshops for high schoolers

Design Discovery workshops are for high school students interested in learning more about the city’s built environment and developing their architectural design skills. Offered on weekends during the school year.

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After-School: Drawing Architecture Tuesdays, October 6 - December 1

Take some time this fall to develop your architectural drawing skills! With a focus on free-hand sketching, participants will be introduced to a range of drawing techniques including one and two-point perspectives, as well as methods for shading and rendering different materials. Students will create drawings using their own locations as well as through shared class content. This is a great chance to create some new portfolio pieces! 

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Architecture and Design College Fair Saturday, November 7, 12pm - 4pm Eastern Time

An annual FREE Architecture and Design College Fair. Representatives from colleges, universities, and design programs nationwide will be on-hand to meet with students and answer questions about applying to architecture school. The 2020 fair will be offered online!

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Discover Architecture Career Exploration Program

The Center for Architecture in conjunction with AIA New York offers a career development program for current NYC high school students interested in learning more about the field of architecture. Selected participants will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and on-site learning at a local architecture firm.

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Special Youth Programs

Girls Build! Date TBD

Girls ages 11–16 are invited to join Center for Architecture and the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee for our fourth-annual Girls Build! event. During this program, students will hear from women architects about why they chose architecture as a career, their experiences in architecture school, and interesting projects they have worked on. Students will then have the opportunity to create their own designs with assistance and feedback from architects.

To be added to the mailing list for updates about this event, please email k12education@centerforarchitecture.org.

Educational Resources

Opportunities

Scholarships

Annual Student Exhibition
Donate to support K-12 Programs at the Center for Architecture
Donate to support K-12 Programs at the Center for Architecture
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