YAF Purpose

The AIA YAF is the voice of recently licensed Architects and a catalyst for progress within the profession. The national YAF encourages development of programs for young architects and supports the creation of YAF groups within local and state components. YAF programs, activities, and resources provide young architects with information and leadership; excellence through fellowship with other professionals; and mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development.

YAF Vision

• We ENGAGE recently licensed Architects in leadership to become agents of change within the Institute and the profession overall.
• We INSPIRE professional growth among recently licensed Architects through fellowship within the Institute.
• We ADVOCATE for issues of particular relevance to recently licensed Architects to the Institute.
• We SERVE to make AIA memberships meaningful to recently licensed architects through programs and services that effectively anticipate, meet and exceed their needs.
• We PROMOTE mentorship at all career stages to enhance personal growth, community involvement, and professional development.

YAF Overview

The Young Architects Forum (YAF) is the voice of architects in the early stages of their career and a catalyst for change within the profession and our communities. Working closely with the AIA College of Fellows and the American Institute of Architects as a whole, the YAF is leading the future of the profession with a focus on architects who are within ten years or less from the date of their initial licensure. The YAF Advisory Committee and Young Architect Representatives (YARs) are charged with encouraging the development of national and state programs of interest to young architects and supporting the creation of YAF groups within AIA components. Approximately 23,000 AIA members are represented by the YAF. YAF programs, activities, and resources serve young architects by providing information and leadership; promoting excellence through fellowship with other professionals; and encouraging mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development.

More information about the YAF can be found here:

www.aia.org/cep

YAF Funding

AIA National covers the costs for YARs travel, food, and lodging to attend the NAC/YAF Annual Meeting (if in person). In addition, YARs have the opportunity to attend AIA Grassroots and the AIA Conference, but expenses for these events, along with any other costs associated with other travel or conferences, are the responsibility of the YAR.

Texas Society of Architects provides a stipend to cover expenses for all TxA Board Meetings and the Leadership Retreat, TxA’s annual conference, and either AIA Grassroots or the AIA Conference.

Application Requirements

The Young Architect Representative (YAR) must be a member in good standing of a component within the State and within the first 10 years of initial licensure during their first year of their term. No individual may serve as a YAR for more than four years in total, whether consecutively or non-consecutively. This eligibility shall remain consistent with the requirements of the YAF as of the time of the election of the YAR. The YAR shall serve a 2-year term (January 2024 – December 2025).

Selection Process

TxA’s Nominating Committee, together with our current STAR & YAR will prepare nominations to be reviewed and elected by the Board of Directors of the Texas Society of Architects in June 2023. Once approved by the TxA Board, the slate is presented to the full Texas membership at the Annual Business Meeting.

If you have any issues uploading files using this form, or if you simply prefer email, all application items can be sent via email to sharna@texasarchitects.org. Please include “2024-2025 YAR” in your subject line.

Application items: Statement of Interest, Resume, Recommendation Letters (optional), Headshot, and any additional details you’d like to add.