Two things are not happening in Edmonton that put us at a disadvantage when designing our city. First, there?s very little ?if any? exposure to architecture as a career for youth in grade school. Second, Edmonton lacks a post secondary institution with a school of architecture. This means our city is nurturing fewer designers and talented architects than other major cities in Canada, even though our rapidly-growing and openminded city provides a great environment for these creative professionals to thrive.
DIALOG brings a new Youth Architecture Camp to Edmonton. Photo by Darren Kirby via Wikimedia Commons.
More than simply recognizing this as an issue, DIALOG has taken matters into their own hands, to benefit the city?s entire design community and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local high school students. From February 26 to March 1, DIALOG will host high school students for the inaugural Youth Architecture Camp. The pilot project was developed with INNOVATE at the Argyll Centre, with the goal of exposing youth to the world of architecture and design alongside industry experts from DIALOG. Twenty one students from 8 local high schools will take part. ?In Edmonton, students aren?t exposed to architecture as a career like they would be if they lived in a city with a school of architecture. Our city is losing out on future design talent. Right now, the few students that know about architecture have to go away to study it, and they may not return to design careers...