A Call to Support Education in Uncertain Times

A letter from AFO Directors

September 18, 2025

Today, we write in support of educators as school sessions return amidst a world of uncertainty.

In early 2025, AFO conducted a survey of our constituents to better understand their values, needs, and activities in the community. We asked our audience, “What are the most important issues in our community that you advocate for?” Almost half (47%) of respondents answered with Youth Access to Education & the Arts. Notable responses included:

“Education. Equal access to quality education throughout Oregon communities.”

“Options for youth to see their future in design and community. This idea leads to a more diverse industry and a better City/State.”

“Successful Public Schools: safe buildings, engaged students.”

In the months after conducting the survey, we have seen the dismantling of the Department of Education, the threatened and real removal of federally funded programs to uplift Oregon students, and sweeping cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and similar agencies – each of these are in opposition to the values of our community and of AFO.

When we look at the core of AFO’s work, we serve as a switchboard: connecting teachers, AEC professionals, community organizations, design enthusiasts and young people with one another to advance education through design thinking and creative problem solving. We work with educators across a spectrum of definitions of the word: those who have gone through the focused training to be teachers in the most traditional sense, those design and building professionals who are experts in their field and partner with classroom teachers in the Architects in Schools (AiS) program, those designers who share their passion, knowledge and experience with our Formation Mentees at the college level, and many other examples. We at AFO are privileged to support, interact with and involve many caring, dedicated individuals who know the imperative role that design plays in our collective human lives.

These amazing individuals impart wisdom that helps our communities create innovative and relevant solutions to both our individual and communal needs that are more equitable, empathetic and enduring. For the youngest designing minds, this shared knowledge teaches children to define problems clearly and empowers them to ask critical questions, developing a deeper understanding of the world around them. The “seeds” that are planted when young people connect with professionals are all building blocks of a better world leading us towards a future that benefits us all. Unfortunately, programs and systems that foster inclusive education are under attack.

Recent events that have occurred questioning the efficacy and importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in our public school system raise concerns about the access that especially students in underinvested communities will have to STEAM focused programming and a supportive education in general. Those in our communities who have committed to providing design education and design career support are invaluable.

Whether or not a young person decides to be and/or is on a path to be a designer as a career or not, giving them the tools to think creatively and make discerning decisions about the creation of their living spaces and communities will improve all of our lives as Oregonians. The more informed and equipped our citizenry is to speak for their needs and consider the needs of others, the better the outcome of our designed spaces for everyone who will use and live within them.

Thank you to all of AFO’s constituents who work to support design education access, share design thinking knowledge and career support and information. We applaud you and our communities continue to desperately need you. As Oregonians, it is essential that we all remain informed and supportive of our teachers, education leaders, teaching artists and designers and mentors.

Sincerely and with solidarity, 

Erica Rife, Executive Director 

Kim Knowles, Director of Education Programs