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Proposals Now Being Accepted for the Fourth Milka Bliznakov Prize
Competition
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 10 SEPTEMBER
The Milka Bliznakov Prize, conferred in recognition of research that
advances knowledge of women's contributions to architecture and related
design fields, was created to encourage the use and growth of the
International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA). The Board of
Advisors of the IAWA, following a two-stage process, awards the annual
prize of $1000. The first stage is an open review of proposals, the
second stage is by invitation to finalists from the first stage. Stage
one, the review of proposals, must be postmarked by 10 September 2003.
Proposals consist of a 250-500-word discussion of the original projects,
research, or scholarly
work, relative to the IAWA collections, and which will contribute to and
advance the recognition of women's contributions in design. Details
about the IAWA and the Bliznakov Prize can be found at
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/iawa/. For more information, contact Donna Dunay,
AIA, via email or phone at [log in to unmask], or (540) 231-5512.
About the IAWA
The International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA), established
in
1985, is a joint program of the College of Architecture and Urban
Studies
and the University Libraries at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University (Virginia Tech). The purpose of the archive is to document
the
history of women's involvement in architecture by collecting,
preserving,
storing, and making available to researchers the professional papers of
women architects, landscape architects, designers, architectural
historians
and critics, and urban planners, and the records of women's
architectural
organizations, from around the world. The IAWA focuses primarily on
collecting the papers of those who practiced at a time when there were
few
women in the field (before the 1950's). The IAWA collects this
information
to fill serious gaps in the availability of primary research materials
for
architectural, women's, and social history research.
The IAWA also collects books, biographical information, and published
materials as part of its mission to act as a clearinghouse of
information
about all women in architecture, past and present.
A voice for women in architecture: Milka Bliznakov...
Milka Bliznakov only knew two English words when she came to the United
States from Bulgaria in 1961 -- yes and no. Now, fluent in English, she
speaks a bold "yes" for the importance of women in the field of
architecture. When arriving at Virginia Tech in the early-70s to teach
architecture, Milka was mindful that she was one of very few women
architects, and that there was no recognition for the contributions made
by
these women. Coming from a family of professional women as daughter of a
doctor, and niece of a dentist, she wanted to do something about this
problem. In 1985, with the help and support of faculty and
administrators,
Milka founded the International Archive of Women in Architecture (IAWA)
as a
joint program of the University Libraries and the College. Today there
are
over 200 collections in the archive.
Now retired, Milka has dedicated much of her time to making personal
calls
to women architects, designers, and planners all over the world,
encouraging
them to consider donating their drawings and projects to the IAWA. Most
recently she gave a lecture at the National Gallery of Art in
Washington,
D.C. entitled "A Unique Collection of Women's Creative Accomplishments"
which showcased the content, scope, and value of the IAWA collections.
For a
detailed listing of these collections housed in the Special Collections
at
the University Libraries of Virginia Tech, see
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/iawa/guide.html.
Heather Ball
Art and Architecture Librarian
Virginia Tech
302 Cowgill Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
ph 540.231.9272
__________________________________________________________________
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