Get Your Paddles Ready! MAF’s Annual Live Auction for Education Takes Place August 6-7 at the AIA/AGC Michigan Mid-Summer Conference

Going once, going twice! MAF is hosting its annual Auction for Education live at this year’s AIA/AGC Michigan Mid-Summer Conference on Mackinac Island, August 6-7, 2020. Held as a traditional table-top silent auction, bidders generously support MAF’s exceptional educational and architecture awareness programs in exchange for exciting and unique travel, sports outings, wine & dine opportunities, art, and design items.

MAF trustee Bob Daverman AIA, who serves as MAF Auction for Education chair, says, “Over the years,  the auction has enabled us to support the many programs for creative children, career-minded high schoolers, university students, and the public to learn about architecture, all of which are at the heart of MAF’s mission.”

This year’s auction items include:

• Condominium vacations in Florida
• Fly-fishing, bird-hunting and golfing trips in Michigan
• Winter adventure weekend on Mackinac Island
• VIP tour of Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena
• Curated collections of wines of South Africa, Michigan, and MAF’s own Trustees Cellar Collection

As always, surprise donations of specialty places, restaurants, artwork and gift items will land on the auction bidding table. All items are donated through the generosity of MAF auction donors and board members. “We are grateful to our generous auction donors and bidders over the years who have made our ability to support and grow MAF’s architecture-related programming,” said Bob.

The in-person auction is open to conference attendees only, and has traditionally been proceeded by the online public auction. However, this year’s online auction has been moved to the 2020 holiday shopping season. “We encourage the public to watch MAF’s website, social media, and newsletter later in the year for announcements about this year’s online auction,” said Bob. “The online auction will also have a number of unique items and adventures perfect for holiday gifting, or as a deserved treat for yourself.”

MAF’s Auction for Education has helped provide funding for programs including:

• The National Organization of Minority Architects Detroit (NOMA Detroit) Project Pipeline Camp, which introduces minority students grades 10-12 to architecture and careers in architecture. MAF has supported the program since its inaugural year in 2016.
• MAF K-12 Committee educational programs, including its ‘Architecture: it’s Elementary!’ K-5 architectural curriculum and ArchiTreks, a broadcast program aimed at getting kids excited about architecture, science and engineering. See Architecture: it’s Elementary in action and ArchiTreks segments on MAF’s YouTube channel, Architecture for Youth.
• Ongoing support for MAF’s Rae Dumke Development Fund. The Fund developed two architecture book collections, 100 Essential Architecture Books (for all ages) and the Build Imagination Collection (for children), and the hands-on Architecture Maker Kits, which will be introduced at Michigan libraries later this year.

Additionally, MAF’s Auction for Education raises funds for MAF’s Architecture Awareness Grants program, which provides support to organizations and individuals engaged in Michigan architecture-focused projects and initiatives.

If you have any questions about this year’s MAF Auction for Education, or wish to donate auction items, please reach out to Bob directly: bob@nulldavermanarchitecture.com.