2020 has been an unexpected year for us all. Here at the Center for Architecture, we were to able to successfully pivot summer programs, school visits, after school and vacation classes all to a remote format.
To help with the COVID-19 closures, our Education team quickly created a new digital experience via Architecture at Home, an online resource that showcases easy architecture and design projects for families. All activities, which offer step-by-step instruction and often additional video how-to‘s, are easily accessible, only requiring products that are readily available around your home.
Over the summer, 350 students nurtured their passion for architecture and discovered new ways to put their creativity to the test, including 35 scholarship recipients. With reduced class sizes and customized program kits mailed directly to participants, activities were reconfigured to take advantage of online content and technology. The Drawing Architecture class, where students normally tour NYC sketching buildings, was able to take a world tour using Google Maps to draw and learn about world treasures such as the Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and Ad Deir in the ancient city of Petra.
Even with constrained school budgets this year, we will serve 95 classes from schools throughout the NYC metropolitan area; at least 30 of those classes will come from Title I classrooms and under-served communities.
It is our mission and our passion to give curious kids an opportunity to dive into an architectural topic and test out their own design ideas. We are very grateful to the donors to the organization’s Annual Education Fund, whom allow us to continue to do this important work.
It is only through the health of this fund, supported by our friends and colleagues, that we have been able to sustain our work and further our vision to help level the playing field for students from all backgrounds, even remotely. Please consider making a 100% tax-deductible donation, small or large, to the Annual Education Fund. Your gift will enable us to continue these programs into the school year.