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We, the members of the Cornell University Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) have come together to contribute our time and resources to build unity among professional architects, regardless of race, ethnicity, or creed. Our interests include engaging with the local community, establishing a network between students and professionals, augmenting the academic benefit of the members, and striving to establish a more equitable profession that is open to all.
Through NOMAS we are able to further explore the study of architecture for the mutual advancement of the community and student body. We want to be able to connect with professionals in the discipline and ancillary fields in order to expose members to the varied aspects of the profession, while we work to achieve an unbiased, tolerant, sensitive, and welcoming professional community.
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) hosts an annual competition in which students from around the country compete to design a new and innovative project. The AIA national president and other industry leaders judge the competition. This year's competition is an African American Cultural and Conference Center located in the historically African-American, Leimert Park area in Los Angeles. To prepare for the competition, we developed an independent studies course with Associate Professor Arthur Ovaska to discuss the competition prompt and determine the best way to move forward. As a part of our approach, we are invited urban and regional studies students to join us, to create a museum that melds with the community and becomes a central and long-lasting monument.
The 44th annual NOMA conference promises to offer an unprecedented professional development and networking opportunity for those involved and/or interested in the design community. Gathering hundreds from across the United States, NOMA's three-day conference (October 13–15) provides phenomenal keynote sessions, interactive breakouts, informative expo, and dynamic networking. This experience is crucial for our club if we want to prosper in the future.
The competition’s location changes each year creating different travel challenges. This year will be Cornell’s first time entering the competition in more than seven years and we are really hoping to “make an entrance.” In order for as many of our members to be able to benefit from wonderful experience, we need your help. With every donation you are putting us one step closer to this once in a lifetime opportunity and we can’t wait to show you our gratitude by coming home with a first place ribbon!
Cornell's once thriving NOMAS chapter won the NOMA student design competition from 2005 through 2008. We spent the last year working hard to reinstate the Cornell chapter at the local, state, and national levels. We hope to bring the Cornell NOMAS winning tradition back this year. We believe that NOMAS is an essential part of the Cornell community and we are willing to work tirelessly to make it successful yet again.
Provide one night of hotel accommodation at the Westin Los Angeles airport hotel for one NOMAS member.
Cover conference registration fees for one Cornell NOMAS member.
Cover the cost of materials and shipping for the competition entry model.
Help us fly! A gift at this level purchases a round trip plane ticket to the conference for one student.
Support all costs for one NOMAS member to attend the conference
The ultimate gift! Cover costs for a significant portion of our conference. With a gift at this level, you'll get a special acknowledgement in our final video compilation.