Deadline: February 1, 2012 

The ACSA invites proposals from member school faculty to organize the 2013 ACSA Teachers Seminar. A more than 40-year tradition, the Teachers Seminar is intended to focus on pedagogy in architecture education. The event is held every other year, alternating with the ACSA International Conference. In 2013, ACSA is inviting proposals for the conference. These proposals may be for a seminar held at the proposing author’s school or at another location. (For more than three decades the seminar was held at Cranbrook Academy of Art. Proposals may include Cranbrook as the location, but this is not a requirement.) 

The program for the Teachers Seminar may include invited speakers, workshop sessions, peer-reviewed presentations, or other format deemed appropriate for the theme and content. In recent years the Seminar has included peer-reviewed presentation opportunities, as funding from schools to attend conferences has increasingly been predicated on presentation of scholarly work. 

Hosting a Teachers Seminar is an opportunity for the host school to bring educators from across North America and beyond to their campus. The topic brings focus to important sectors of the curriculum, and conference chairs have an opportunity to convene a broad network of participants with common scholarly interests. 

Attendance at the Teachers Seminar is anticipated to be 80-100 people, with host schools using campus facilities or other appropriate venues for conference sessions. Joint proposals from neighboring schools and partnerships with other groups (such as those formed around the thematic area) are welcome.

Final proposals will be reviewed and selected through the ACSA Board of Directors’ Scholarly Meetings Committee. Proposals should be 3 pages or less, excluding supporting documents, and should include:

1. A title and description of the conference that clearly identifies the theme and format for sessions

2. Proposed dates for the conference

• The Teachers Seminar should occur between the middle of June and the end of July.

3. The name of the chair or co-chairs, as well as any other relevant organizers 

• Identify one or more faculty members to act as chair and whose area of expertise relates to the proposed theme. The chair(s) will be responsible to craft the conference program, oversee local logistical details, and maintain communication with partners on any joint efforts. The chair(s) will also work with ACSA staff on planning and promotion. 

4. A description of other potential enhancing conference features: partnerships, sponsors, keynote speakers, tours, etc.

5. Clear expression of interest by school, if the school is hosting

• Show evidence of support from the school’s dean, provost, or other appropriate university representatives through letters and/or supporting documents.

6. A description of resources available for the conference 

• ACSA does not expect host schools to contribute direct financial support to the Teachers Seminar, and instead encourages in-kind contributions of available resources, such as meeting space, audio-visual equipment, ongoing lecture series to cover keynote speakers, etc. 
• ACSA will work with the host school to develop a business plan that accounts for in-kind school contributions, registration revenue, and staff and direct financial support from the ACSA. Resources that cannot be provided in-kind will be paid out of registration fees or sponsorships.

Schools interested in hosting are encouraged to contact the ACSA to discuss potential arrangements prior to making a proposal. 

Submission and Information

Please submit your proposal and direct any questions to: Jonathan Halpin, Conferences Manager, jhalpin@acsa-arch.org, 202.785.2324 x2