Festival of the Future to empower young architects amidst EDI funding cuts
The Festival of the Future is set to take place on 14-15 March at the RIBA headquarters located at 66 Portland Place, London, W1B 1AD. This two-day event aims to bolster support for the next generation of creatives in the architecture and built environment sectors, especially in light of recent changes to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) funding in the United States.
The festival is organised by various organisations focused on widening representation within the industry, presenting a valuable opportunity for young people to engage with seasoned professionals and gain insight into the architectural profession. The event occurs as Washington has enacted significant cuts to EDI funding across government agencies, schools, and other institutions, raising concerns about a growing lack of opportunities aimed at enhancing social equity.
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling 18 months ago, which deemed Harvard University’s affirmative action admission policy unconstitutional, the implications of these developments are anticipated to resonate internationally, potentially affecting similar initiatives in the UK. "What happens in the USA will reverberate elsewhere," noted a representative from HomeGrown Plus.
The dismantling of EDI structures is viewed as part of a broader, well-organised movement that some warn could drastically affect industry standards, particularly in the tech sector. Reports suggest that major corporations may soon discontinue their public commitments to diversity and inclusion, as these policies begin to be perceived as economically inefficient.
In this context, the Festival of the Future stands as a crucial event, engaging more than 20 institutions and signalling support for young professionals who may feel overlooked in this changing landscape. The festival aims to highlight skills essential for career longevity within architecture, emphasising that talent is the primary factor for securing a place in the field, rather than EDI policies.
At the event, HomeGrown Plus will host a workshop titled ‘Skills, Thrills, and Bills – setting out on your Architectural Journey’ on 14 March at 18:00. In preparation for the future, aspiring architects are encouraged to undertake key strategies to enrich their career prospects, such as networking, seeking mentorship, gaining work experience, and maintaining control over their career paths. The recommendations include strengthening personal networks during university, articulating thoughts within their work, and gaining tangible experience through project involvement.
Dennis Austin, managing director of HomeGrown Plus and co-founder of daab Design architects, has articulated the need for the architectural community to adapt to these challenges. He noted that the reduction in available funding for EDI initiatives is already visible in the UK, with organisations like HomeGrown Plus, Beyond the Box, and others tasked with the ongoing challenge of sustaining support programs for young creatives.
The festival represents a proactive step toward countering these trends and nurturing the future of architecture in the face of evolving societal norms and financial constraints.