Dear AIA Colleagues,
“What the heck does AIA Alaska do?” I have heard this question over the years and even said it myself before I was part of your great board of directors. Let me clearly tell you the AIA Alaska board and its committees are working to serve our statewide architecture community. Around 50% of every board meeting shows that the board and many committees are focused on the next generation of Alaskan architects. We all know the challenges of the Alaskan architecture market: remote, extremely large area, small population, and no architecture school. AIA Alaska is very actively working to support the next generations of professional architects. Much of AIA Alaska’s work—and my own work—has been focused on this future.
I also want to remind our membership that you are a stakeholder in this state and national non-profit. When an intern has an unusual struggle with NCARB (like local testing centers closing), or they came to our country legally and are having immigration problems: their problem is AIA’s problem. In Alaska, it doesn’t matter if the intern is an AIA member. It matters that we support the next generation of Alaskan professionals so they might become licensed architects and hopefully future AIA members. Let’s err on the side of being helpful. Please reach out to our Executive Director, angiem@aiaalaska.org, if you or your team need help or have an idea for legislation to address our Alaskan challenges.
Since our last newsletter:
- Advocacy and Member Engagement: AIA Alaska continues to make steady progress through advocacy, member engagement, leadership development, conference planning, and organizational improvement. This quarter focused on connecting members, supporting volunteers, and advancing board initiatives. We are looking for new AIA Alaska members across our state to join the Advocacy Committee now for the 2027 legislative session.
- Leadership Development: AIA Alaska members have participated in state and national conversations on advocacy, governance, housing, emerging professionals, and the future of the profession. We continue to encourage young architects, associates, and other members to pursue leadership and volunteer opportunities.
- ByDesign Partnership: AIA Alaska approved and executed a Memorandum of Understanding with ByDesign International Productions. We are working with the production team to identify projects showcasing the quality, diversity, and unique character of architecture across Alaska.
- Education and Workforce Development: We continue to support the Frank Maier High School Design Competition and efforts to strengthen the pipeline of future architects while exploring ways to attract, retain, and support architectural professionals in Alaska.
- Looking Ahead: Planning is underway for the 2026 AIA Alaska Conference in Girdwood—thank you, Central Section!Committee participation continues to grow, and strategic discussions are helping shape the chapter’s future.
Thank you to our board members, committee chairs, section leaders, volunteers, and members for your continued commitment.
If you are interested in actively joining our statewide network, please reach out. AIA Alaska needs you!
I hope to meet you in Girdwood!
