EDI, longevity, and the Festival of the Future.
daab Director Dennis Austin through his role as Managing Director of HomeGrown Plus is excited about the upcoming Festival of the Future being held at the RIBA headquarters. Dennis feels it is a perfect opportunity for the profession to get behind the next generation of creatives. The two-day led by organisations working to improve wider representation within the built environment will offer young people a glimpse into the profession.
It is particularly important in the context of Washington’s removal of EDI funding for all government agencies, schools and institutions. This, combined with the elimination of EDI training, will further close the door of opportunities geared at leveling society.
The dismantling of EDI is a highly organised well-funded movement. The domino effect it is having within the tech sector alone is alarming. Soon corporate websites will remove front page “we are the world” videos signalling that, in their view, EDI no longer makes commercial sense.
In this context the RIBA Festival of the Future involving 20+ organisations is so important. It sends a message of support to the younger generation who might feel abandoned. It will reinforce skills required to create longevity, and will demonstrate that talent, not EDI policy, is your pathway to a place in the profession. Our message to the next generation is to continue to:
Fortify your network
Start articulating your thoughts
Seek mentorship
Travel more
Work
Get built experience
Work while in school
You control where you work
The Washington whiplash will echo elsewhere, and funding sources are already beginning to dry up here in the UK. Corporations are waiting to see which way the wind blows, institutions remain cautious, and the Architectural industry is already seemingly tapped-out.
Longevity, it seems, requires creative funding. Ideas are always welcomed...
The Festival of the Future March 14th/15th 66 Portland Place London W1B 1AD
HomeGrown Plus will be hosting “Skills, Thrills, and Bills - setting out on your Architectural Journey” March 14th 18:00