Arcadia Landscape Architecture is delighted to announce the National Arcadia Landscape Architecture Award for Indigenous Students (NALAAIS) with the intention of increasing the representation of First Australians in the Landscape Architecture profession. The national program is an expansion of the Arcadia Landscape Architecture Indigenous Scholarship established with the UNSW School of the Built Environment in 2016.
“When our first recipient of this scholarship completed her Landscape Architecture degree, it brought the total number of Indigenous landscape architects practising in Australia to just three. While we feel pride in the small success of the scholarship has created to date, we also recognise that we want to achieve so much more to ensure our profession will benefit from the perspective of Indigenous landscape architects,” says Alex Longley, Principal of Arcadia.
Planning for the NALAAIS has been in progress for almost twelve months, but the recent bushfires brought a renewed focus on how Indigenous knowledge and traditional land and fire management practices can prevent fire damage and enable the return of healthy landscapes and ecosystems. This is just one example of how the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge can improve the way we care for the landscape, as well as adding value and richness to the sense of place, sharing stories and building cultural awareness.”
The almost non-existent representation of Indigenous practitioners in the landscape architecture profession has led Arcadia to establish individual scholarships with universities who offer an AILA-accredited Landscape Architecture program.
“The response from the universities has been overwhelmingly positive, with our conversations focussed on how each university can provide support for the students as they complete a challenging, yet rewarding, degree in an unfamiliar environment,” says Michael Barnett, Principal at Arcadia.
We’ve talked about the support that can come from the Indigenous Programs and Pathways Units at each institution, as well as mentoring and work experience opportunities Arcadia can provide through our studio and network.”
The primary aim of the scholarship is to encourage Indigenous students to enter landscape architecture, as proper representation of Indigenous people in this industry will galvanise capacity to care for Country, connect with Country and place, share stories and learn ecological management and processes developed by our First People over eons.
About the Scholarship
In 2020, all Indigenous students enrolled in an AILA-accredited Landscape Architecture program will be able to apply for the award. Each scholarship will provide support to each student for the duration of the course. This scholarship will be available to one student per university, per year.
The scholarship will be offered through the following universities:
- Deakin University
- Queensland University of Technology
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
- University of New South Wales
- University of Western Australia
- University of Canberra
- University of Melbourne
- University of Technology Sydney
Arcadia’s Connection to Country
Arcadia’s approach to Indigenous Country, heritage and culture goes beyond project-based work. It is about learning, establishing and maintaining community partnerships, supporting Indigenous advancement in design, and building our team’s capacity.
From establishing Australia’s first Indigenous Landscape Architecture Scholarship, to partnerships with Indigenous initiatives, in-house staff cultural training and our ongoing employment and mentoring of Indigenous professionals, Arcadia prides ourselves on being at the forefront of our industry in engagement, advancement and collaboration with our First People.
As a part of an ongoing process of trust building, knowledge exchange and partnership forming, we have the ability to collaborate and engage with our Indigenous communities.
We believe it is our holistic and ongoing approach to Indigenous heritage, culture and Country that makes us best placed to provide designs that are rich in history, culture and meaning, for all to enjoy.
For further information about the scholarship please contact:
Alex Longley or Pip Meachin on 02 8571 2900 or pipm@arcadiala.com.au.
