FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 6, 2018

IIDA FOUNDATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IA INTERIOR ARCHITECTS ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL DIVERSITY IN DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP

CHICAGO, IL – The IIDA Foundation, a not-for-profit philanthropic organization that works in collaboration with IIDA, is pleased to partner with IA Interior Architects (IA) to support diverse design communities by providing educational scholarships through the new IA Interior Architects’ Diversity in Design Scholarship Fund.

The inaugural Fund was established to recognize that promoting diversity in design is paramount in making the world of design a more inclusive and innovative place. As the Foundation’s primary mission is to advance the interior design profession through education, research, and knowledge, the five-year partnership with IA is an exciting opportunity to enrich the industry by recognizing outstanding students.

“Diversity of background, experiences and identities is vital to the future of our industry, as these varied perspectives create environments in which truly novel ideas can flourish,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “We are appreciative that IA Interior Architects shares these values and are excited to leverage this scholarship to continue our focus on bringing more diversity to the profession.”

Students currently enrolled in a design or architecture program are encouraged to participate by writing a 500-word essay that expresses their point of view on the world of design through different lenses and how diversity and innovation are interrelated. Each year for the duration of the partnership, six students will be awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

“At IA Interior Architects, our commitment to the future of interior architecture is a firm-wide passion,” shares Tom Powers and David Bourke, Co-presidents/CEOs of IA Interior Architects. “This translates into a desire to mentor the development of young, visionary designers within our studios. We also recognize that the future of design begins at the university level. IA is proud to be part of this new IIDA Foundation initiative, and we hope this scholarship will play a part in moving that cause forward.”

Submissions opened on September 5, 2018 and the application deadline is October 26, 2018. Recipients will be announced December 2018. Graduate and undergraduate students that are currently enrolled in a design or architecture program may enter at iida.org.

For questions or more information, contact Aisha Williams, senior director of industry relations and special events, at awilliams@iida.org.

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About the IIDA Foundation
The IIDA Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 philanthropic organization whose mission is to advance interior design through education, research, and knowledge to benefit IIDA and the interior design profession. The Foundation works in collaboration with IIDA to support the strategic plan of the Association, which includes design professionals, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms, and their clients through a network of 15,000+ members across 58 countries. www.iida.org

About IA Interior Architects
Founded in 1984, IA Interior Architects is the first and largest global architectural firm focused exclusively on interior architecture and strategies. IA collaborates with clients in diverse markets worldwide to align their business strategies and core values with the dynamic use of space. IA’s global network includes offices in Austin, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orange County, Portland, Raleigh, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley, Toronto, and Washington, DC, as well as partner affiliates in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia and Australia, Canada, and Latin America through the IA Global Alliance. For more information visit www.interiorarchitects.com.