On a picture-perfect August weekend on Mackinaw Island, MAF’s annual Auction for Education was held during the AIA Michigan/AGC Mid-summer conference.
This year, thanks to generous donations from MAF Board Members, businesses, and construction partners. MAF had over 40 items up for bid. Items ranged from hotel stays, dining experiences, concert tickets, unique collectibles, and of course, many highly rated wine collections. Thanks to the support of the bidders, MAF raised $16,000 from this year’s auction, exceeding expectations.
MAF’s Auction for Education helps provide financial support for MAF’s architecture-based K-12 educational resources, including ‘Architecture: it’s Elementary’ and ‘ArchiTreks’, which creatively engage children through hands-on activities and videos, as well as an educational curriculum. It also benefits MAF’s Architecture Awareness Grants, which help fund architecture-related programming that enriches Michigan communities and its residents. The grants have supported lectures, books, films, events, design competitions, and educational programs, including NOMA (National Association of Minority Architects) Detroit’s Project Pipeline Camps, created to help expose minority and under-represented high school students throughout Michigan to careers in architecture.
“Everyone seemed to enjoy the fun at the auction event on the lawn of the Grand Hotel,” said MAF Auction for Education first-year chair Chuck Lewis, AIA. “The bidding this year was competitive, and we had many great items for bidders to select from. We want to thank everyone for supporting MAF by bidding and donating items, and appreciate the dedication of the committee members who helped curate the auction items!”