The White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, should it pass, will deprive architecture schools and nonprofits of vital federal funds. Now, in response to these pressures, a coalition has formed, the Public Design Alliance.
The Public Design Alliance has a few key priorities: knowledge sharing, program collaboration, community and audience building, and message amplification. This is all meant to combat the stigmatization of DEI, the widespread loss of public funding, and “recent unprecedented federal challenges and pressures on civil society.”
“While Washington slashes funding for arts and culture, New York nonprofit leaders know that resilience is rooted in collaboration,” said Kristin LaBuz, Open House New York executive director. “Open House New York is proud to be part of the Public Design Alliance, deepening relationships with our colleagues in ways that amplify our respective missions and strengthen the civic fabric of our city.”
There are 15 founding organizations of the Public Design Alliance, but this list could grow. As of today, they include:
For Janet Fink, Institute for Public Architecture executive director, the coalition makes plain sense because “we are stronger together,” she stated. The members also have similar values and approaches to engaging the public realm.
“Anchored in shared values, we needn’t know the precise shape of the projects we might take on to know that there is more we can do together than apart in these uncertain times,” added Jacob Moore, Architectural League of New York executive director.
“It’s clear we’re facing unprecedented challenges, making the Public Design Alliance a critical platform for collective action,” Van Alen Institute executive director Hayley Eber told AN. “Van Alen Institute is excited to collaborate with our peers, allowing us to unify our efforts and amplify our shared commitment to a more just and resilient public realm.”
Jesse Lazar, AIA New York and Center for Architecture executive director, elaborated: “The challenges facing our cities—climate resilience, housing equity, public trust—are too complex for any one organization to tackle alone.”
“More than ever,” Lazar continued, “the political and economic moment we are in demands deeper collaboration, connectivity and solidarity. It’s a privilege to work together with colleagues at such important and innovative organizations to strengthen one another and advance our shared values, and we look forward to expanding this group in the future.”
