Please share this information with your colleagues. 

 

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