Grassroots 2023

AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference

UN | REST

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July 20 – July 23, 2023

rest – focus on mental health, positive culture, taking care of each other, architecture that heals
unrest – advocacy, change, disruption, justice, dedication

Rest and unrest demonstrates a dichotomy that exists within architectural education and celebrates the balance that we all aim to find. Celebrating rest means celebrating mental health, positive culture, taking care of each other, and architecture that heals. Celebrating unrest means celebrating the advocacy, change, disruption, justice, and dedication needed to push our profession forward.

The dynamic between rest and unrest is not only about health and advocacy; it is also a celebration of passion. Architecture students are relentless in their pursuits of design, leadership, and service, and we want to encourage them to pursue every passion with both rest and unrest.

The theme intends to celebrate advocacy and change, but we want to be clear that the AIAS does not support violence of any kind. Our organization has a legacy of championing progress, and AIAS supports all forms of peaceful protest. The theme of Grassroots celebrates advocacy and change, and we intend to continue this work throughout the coming year.

As famed civil rights leader and former Congressman John Lewis once said, “nothing can stop the power of a committed and determined people to make a difference in our society.”