CHICAGO (May 25, 2005) The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) announces an exhibition opening of student projects from the 23rd annual Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition on Friday, May 27. At 10:30 a.m., students and teachers will gather for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the exhibition at CAF’s ArchiCenter, 224 South Michigan Avenue. The exhibition features over 450 drawings and models produced by Chicago public high school students through their participation in the program.

The Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition is a partnership among the CAF, Chicago Public Schools, and the architects and design professionals who volunteer their time to develop the curriculum, lead skill-building workshops, and mentor students. Program activities include eight skill-building workshops generously funded by the JCCC Foundation operated by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, school visits by architects, an annual design competition and paid internships with local firms. This year’s competition attracted 480 high school student participants who worked for several months to complete drawings and models.

The Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition is designed to inform and inspire students about the built environment. Autodesk Inc. is the generous corporate sponsor providing principle support for the 2005 Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition, which enables CAF to serve roughly 1,500 high school students.
Students learn current building practices and familiarize themselves with the fast paced industry. “The Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition allowed me to begin my journey to reach my destination in architecture,” said Leroy Stewart, Newhouse alum. “I obtained an internship with VOA Associates where I was able to reach out to the community and demonstrate my architectural abilities.”

Richard H. Newhouse, an African American state senator from the south side of Chicago, founded the Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition in partnership with the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill in 1982. He encouraged students who have an architectural dream to make an investment in their future and believed that the Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition would be a student’s ticket to the world of architecture and design.
Exceptional projects are awarded with paid internships in metropolitan Chicago architecture and construction firms. Viewing of the student projects for the Newhouse Program and Architecture Competition is free and open to the public May 27 –June 9, 2005.

Program Sponsors include:
Co-sponsors: Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Public Schools Office of High School Programs, Education to Careers.

Principal Support:
Autodesk Inc., Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund, Illinois Art Council, CityArts Program IV, JCCC Foundation, Otto L. and Hazel T. Rhoades Fund, Dr. Scholl Foundation, USG Corporation, Francis Beidler Charitable Trust, Kathi Newhouse, Hedrich Blessing