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APRIL 2026
Architecture Week celebrates the profession of architecture and invites everyone - especially K-12 students - to explore architecture and design. We all play key roles in educating and inspiring the next generation of architects. Let's build the pipeline together.
Due to the hard work by last year's AIA KY Young Architect Representative, George Donkor, AIA, AIA Kentucky is an Architecture Week 2026 Grant Recipient! Therefore the majority of this year's planned events are funded by AIA National, including:
April 13th:
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Shelby County High School visit to Grades 9-12 Art & Construction Classes from 8:30am-3:30pm by Jessica Farmer, AIA - AIA KY Young Architect Representative
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Gather your students and join architecture and design children's book authors for virtual read-alouds followed by a Q& all week - be sure to share with teachers!
April 14th:
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Shelby County High School visit to Grades 9-12 Art & Construction Classes from 8:30am-3:30pm by Jessica Farmer, AIA - AIA KY Young Architect Representative
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FCPS Harrison Elementary School visit to Grade 5 from 2:20-3:05pm by George Donkor, AIA and Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA - AIA KY Associate Director
April 15th:
April 16th:
- FCPS Williams Well Brown Elementary School visit to After School Program from 4:00-5:30pm George Donkor, AIA and Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA - AIA KY Director
April 17th:
- Shelby County East Middle School visit to Grade 8 Career Choice Classes from 9:55am-3:30pm by Jessica Farmer, AIA - AIA KY Young Architect Representative
- FCPS GWC STEM Academy for Boys visit to Grade 4 from 9:30-11:30am by George Donkor, AIA and Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA - AIA KY Director
- FCPS Success Academy visit to Grades 9-12 from 1:30-2:30pm by George Donkor, AIA and Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA - AIA KY Director
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AXA Liability Webinar | 3 AIA LU HSW
April 15, 2026 - Earn 3 AIA LU | HSW
Register by April 10th! AIA KY is partnering with AXA XL to provide the liability webinar on "Understanding Risks in the Design Industry: Best Practices for Managing Professional Liability."
Learn more and register here for the event led by an insurance underwriter, helping design professionals navigate the architectural and construction industry.
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AIA KY Convention | Call for Presentations
SAVE THE DATE: 2026 AIA KY Convention + Design & Service Awards Banquet will be held on 9/22/26 at the AIA KY Award-Winning Speed Art Museum in Louisville.
Call for Presentations: to submit presentations, please complete this form before the deadline on 4/15/26.
Suggested Keynotes or Interested in Volunteering: send an email to the Convention Committee here.
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2026 A.R.E. Grant Program
AIA KY is excited to be accepting applicants for round one of our 2026 A.R.E. Grant Program. This program is intended to encourage eligible candidates to pursue professional licensure. All KY residents, both AIA Members and non-members, actively taking the A.R.E. are eligible.
The selection committee will issue up to eight (8) grants in the amount of up to $250 each. Grant funds may be used for either the cost of testing or for other associated costs, including study material. The online application portal is open, with a submission deadline of Friday, April 24.
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AIA26 Conference on Architecture
The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design is coming to San Diego, June 10–13. Get registered today
AIA26 brings the most comprehensive continuing education in the industry - taught by renowned speakers, leading architects, designers, and building product experts. With seminars, workshops, tours, expo and curated CE.
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2026 AIA KY Allied Members & Sponsors
You don't have to be an architect to join the AIA! Help us spread the word to all of your industry partners and colleagues that our 2026 Allied Membership in AIA Kentucky is now available and open to register here.
It is available to non-Architects, including all interested allied design professionals, construction industry representatives, and product / service suppliers.
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Kentucky Construction Industry Trust
For the past forty-five plus years, AIA Kentucky has been a proud sponsor of the Kentucky Construction Industry Trust (KCIT). The KCIT is an association-managed employee benefit program which pools nine construction industry associations from across KY for the purpose of providing employee benefits to members of endorsing associations.
KCIT leverages the unparalleled purchasing power of the construction industry to procure comprehensive high quality employee benefits. Learn more here today.
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Membership Updates
Getting Licensed? Check out AIA ArchiPrep: it's a one-stop shop for support and opportunities like free membership, scholarships, and study groups.
Exciting News? TAG US in Your Social Media Posts
Please help increase awareness of our profession by tagging AIA Kentucky in your firm's posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Let's collaborate!
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Individual & Firm News:
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Allison Commings AIA, promoted to Principal at Sherman Carter Barnhart Architects
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Senait Kassa, AIA, AICP, LEED AP and Jennifer D. Ayers, AIA, NCARB, CID, CDT, CSI participated in an inspiring panel of Women in Projects.
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Introducing the AIA College of Fellows Class of 2026 Edition: KY - Jeffery Stivers, FAIA
Newly Licensed
We are pleased to congratulate the following members, who recently completed the A.R.E. and received their license in the state of Kentucky:
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Shristi Tamrakar, RossTarrant Architects, Lexington
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Scott Budnick, Champlin | EOP Architecture, Louisville
Welcome New and Returning Members
(Joined or Reinstated since March 2026)
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Isaid Cabrera, Assoc. AIA, US Army Corps of Engineers
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Bridgette Ferguson, AIA, Wescott Construction
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JonAnthony Floyed-Jackson, Assoc. AIA, Tower Pinkster
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Angela Kirkpatrick, Assoc. AIA, Angela K. Design Studio
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Jason Lange, AIA, Prodigy Construction Corporation Inc
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Jay Studer, AIA, Studer Residential Designs
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Josue Tejeda Castillo, AIA, Schmidt Associates
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Joshua Trent, Assoc. AIA, Joshua Trent Custom Designs LLC
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Allied Benefactor of the Month Spotlight:
Kentucky Concrete Association
https://kyconcrete.org/
The Kentucky Concrete Association is a non-profit trade association representing the men and women of the ready mixed concrete industry and companies that do work in the concrete industry in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. Since 1960, KCA members and staff have worked tirelessly to improve the overall quality of concrete construction as well as educate Kentuckians about new and existing ways ready mixed concrete can help them build better and smarter. Read more..
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Calendar of Events:
AIA Kentucky and local chapter events are consolidated on a single calendar accessible via the AIA Kentucky Website. We'll post information about conferences, chapter events and other "happenings" of interest to the architectural community.
A sampling of upcoming items on the calendar:
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View the last edition of the AIA CKC E-news for more information about the following:
- Plant Tour of Fast Signs
- Annual Retreat Announced For Maysville
- Monthly Social at Locals
| | For additional information on AIA Central Kentucky Chapter events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow CKC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. | | |
View the latest edition of the AIA EKY E-news for more information about the following:
- Pickleball Tournament with SEAoK
- Coloring Book
- CAR-Chitecture Show & Legends Game
For information on AIA East Kentucky events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow EKC on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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UK College of Design News
Architecture student named Gaines Fellow:
Twelve University of Kentucky students, including one architecture student, have been selected as the newest Gaines Fellows - learn more here.
Dewhirst named inaugural Gray Design Building Gallery Director: learn more here.
2026 Spring Lectures, Workshops & Exhibitions: learn more here.
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NCARB and Early Professionals News
2026 AIA YAF Conference in D.C.
The AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) is a program of the AIA organized to address issues of importance for recently licensed architects (up to ten years licensed) providing resources on leadership, mentorship, and fellowship useful to those launching their careers.
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AIA Kentucky YAF representative, Jessica Farmer, AIA of Gray AES, shared her insights and takeaways from this year's AIA YAF Conference in Washington, D.C.
The Young Architects Forum Knowledge Focus Group is pleased to release the February 2026 issue of Now YA Know newsletter.
AIA YAF Connection 22.04 - Driving Wellness & Mitigating Burnout - CLICK HERE to view Connection Q4 2025 | Vol 22, Issue 04 which includes timely articles, personal perspectives, and practical ideas that speak to the real pressures young architects are facing.
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National Architecture Billings Index
February 2026 ABI: after several months of softness, architecture firm billings were close to flat in February.
Join the next AIAU live webinar FREE to hear Economic Update: Q2 2026 ABI Insights on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 2pm ET. Register here.
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AIA National News
AIA joins coalition of leading preservation/architecture groups to protect Kennedy Center
The action responds to plans that could significantly alter the building without required public review and professional input. The lawsuit seeks to pause major demolition or redesign activities until those processes are complete. More on AIA’s involvement, its long history in preservation advocacy, and FAQs can be found on the website here.
February Strategic Councilor Report
The AIA Strategic Council continued its 2026 work in February, with ongoing research and collaboration across its five focus areas: housing, neuroarchitecture, practice, regenerative design and value. The Council also remained engaged in discussions around proposed governance changes and gathered during a February Council Assembly for further dialogue with the Governance Task Force. Read the full February Report here.
AIA National Strategic Plan 2026-2030
The new Strategic Plan is a bold, member-informed roadmap for a profession ready to lead, focusing on what architects and firms need to thrive.
Call for applications: 2025–2026 Tuttle & GMZ Fellowships
The AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) and the Foundation for Health Environments Research (FHER) provide fellowship opportunities in health facility planning and design. The Tuttle Fellowship supports graduate students, while the GMZ Fellowship supports doctoral and master’s students, junior faculty, and emerging professionals. The application deadline is April 6. Learn more
2026 Small Project Design Grant
The 2026 Small Project Design Knowledge Community Grant cycle is open for submission. This grant provides financial support for nonprofits working with architects on community-based projects and demonstrates the value of hiring an architecture firm (and AIA member). Up to three grants will be awarded for up to $5,000 each. The submission deadline is April 17. Learn more
2026 AIA Future Forward Grant
The deadline to submit for the 2026 AIA Future Forward Grant program is Friday, April 17. Students, emerging professionals, and architects licensed less than 10 years can apply for up to $10,000 to test new ideas that disrupt the traditional conception of practice, process, and product in the field of architecture. More
More AIA Products & Resources:
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AIA Career Center - Search open jobs, post your resume and set up job alerts.
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AIA Contract Documents - Choose from 180+ industry standard contracts and forms
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Business Intelligence - Navigate current business conditions, make smarter decisions, and prep for the future with AIA's business intelligence.
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The AIA Trust - Resources to protect your practice and plan for your future.
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AIAU - 300+ instructors bring the industry's best learning to you.
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Knowledge Communities - CE opportunities, discussion forums and research libraries on specific areas of practice that interest you. See all KC events.
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A quick review of this month’s news has me feeling proud of all that’s happening across the three tiers of AIA, and with so much to look forward to, we hope you won't let this newsletter be your last!
We'd like to say THANK YOU to all of the AIA Kentucky members who have renewed their membership or joined the AIA in 2026. We appreciate your involvement and support and are honored to serve you. If you haven't yet renewed...we hate to see you go and hope you will reconsider! While your membership will lapse this weekend, you can reactivate your benefits at any time by submitting payment of your annual dues. If there are financial or health circumstances that are impeding your ability to renew, I hope you'll email or call us at 859-223-8201 so we can explore options that may be available to you.
Thanks again for supporting AIA Kentucky as we continuously strive to add value to your practice and your profession. We are grateful to have over 750 of the best members in the Institute and we look forward to your engagement in the variety of exciting opportunities ahead!
Cheers!
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Kelly E. Ives, AIA, CAE, LEED AP
Executive Vice President
859.223.8201
| | | Thank You to the Allied Members of AIA Kentucky! | | | Allied Membership is recognized by all three local components, with a portion of dues supporting local programs. Learn More | | | | |
