NYC community orgs: Let's activate vacant storefronts together! In Spring 2025, we're partnering with NYC Department of Small Business Services to help community-based organizations address storefront vacancy in creative ways. Design Sprints: Building Creative Capacity will connect orgs with design professionals and provide capacity-building, design support, and strategic planning. To apply, fill out this form by Nov 15: https://lnkd.in/eXkeVFVD. All types of community organizations are encouraged to apply; ideal partners will have an existing relationship with the storefronts they hope to activate. Want to learn more? Join a Zoom info session next Monday, Oct 21 at 3 pm. (Session will also be recorded and posted on our website.) RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eYv8kZsf This initiative is supported by the NYC Department of Small Business Services. Photo: Van Alen's storefront, by Cameron Blaylock
Van Alen Institute
Non-profit Organizations
Brooklyn, New York 3,637 followers
Making it easier for communities to shape the places where they live.
About us
We make it easier for communities to shape the places where they live. To achieve this, we create projects that connect residents, architects, and city leaders. From short-term public installations to long-term city planning, our work builds trust and fosters lasting relationships.
- Website
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http://www.vanalen.org/
External link for Van Alen Institute
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Brooklyn, New York
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1894
- Specialties
- urbanism, design, architecture, planning, public programs, design competitions, professional development, community engagement, community organizing, facilitation, and public space
Locations
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Primary
303 Bond St
Brooklyn, New York 11231, US
Employees at Van Alen Institute
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Kishore Varanasi, AICP
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Alisha Kim Levin
Director of Communications at Van Alen Institute | Strategic Communications Expert
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Jenn Gustetic
Director of Early Stage Innovations and Partnerships at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Andrew Brown
Director of Programs at Van Alen Institute
Updates
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Van Alen Institute reposted this
It's exciting to see Curry J. Hackett's "Ugly Beauties" installation at The Plaza at 300 Ashland highlighted in Oculus' summer edition. The piece was on view from February to April 2024 and was a collaborative commission by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership with support from Two Trees Management Co. and the Van Alen Institute.
President at Hausman LLC | Strategist | Media Specialist | Communicator | Facilitator | Brand Expert | Design Aficionado
So pleased to share AIA NY's summer issue of Oculus with a focus on the #future of #architecture. Topics range from #education to #AI to new models of #practice. The issue also covers a range of activities taking place at AIA New York | Center for Architecture, other local AIA chapters, and exhibits. As Chair of the Oculus Committee, I enjoy our conversations and am thrilled to see how our talented group of writers, practitioners, and reporters turn the topics that we discuss into compelling content for our readers. Take a look! https://lnkd.in/d6FdiCZf Jennifer Krichels Stephen Zacks Beth Broome Anthony Paletta Gregory Switzer, AIA, NOMA, NCARB Marc Norman Randy Fernando Andrew Thompson AIA NOMAC NCARB LEED AP BD C Jesse Lazar AIA NOMAC NCARB LEED AP BD C #NYC #architecture The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
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EXTENDED — We’re delighted to share that "With Your Voice" is sticking around for another month! Through September 9, walk through Gowanus to experience this public art and community engagement tool. Created by Juanli Carrion and Rodolfo Kusulas, "With Your Voice" envisions the major changes coming to Gowanus and asks for your input via voice note. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gVAr5S5H ARTIST-LED TOUR Friday 9/6, 6–7:30 pm Starts at Brooklyn Public Library Pacific Branch, 25 4th Ave RSVP for free: https://lnkd.in/gKJYa7TE
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Sharing some big (but bittersweet!) news — Our executive director Deborah Marton has decided to step down, come this August. We’re going to miss her fiercely, but know she’ll do great things as she focuses on her work with the NYC Public Design Commission. Over 5 years, Deborah led Van Alen through a mission shift to create equitable cities through inclusive design, and created new programs that make it easier for communities to shape places where they live. Through her leadership, all our work is grounded in community expertise and residents’ agency over their built environment. What happens next? While Van Alen’s board searches for a new leader, Andrew Brown, Director of Programs & Kate Overbeck, Director of Strategic Partnerships will step up as Co-Interim Executive Directors, carrying forward our current community-led design projects. Sharing some words from Deborah on the occasion: "It’s been the opportunity of a lifetime to steer Van Alen Institute towards self-initiated projects that advance design justice. Now, with a suite of community-led design programs, welcoming new headquarters in Brooklyn, and a unified board and staff, Van Alen is in a brilliant place to continue growing under new leadership. It’s been an honor and privilege to lead these efforts and build coalitions with inspiring community leaders working towards justice, squarely situating Van Alen to foster equity in the built environment." Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/efrtVUj9 📷: Deborah Marton (center) with Board Chair R. May Lee (left) and staff member Shiloah Coley (right). Photo: Cameron Blaylock
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Last week, Van Alen gathered with collaborators, supporters, and friends for the Bond Street Bash, our annual celebration of our inclusive design network! We heard from Loisaida Inc., Pentagram, and BD Feliz about their experiences on Design Sprints, our newest community-led design program. Board members R May Lee, Hana Kassem, Carla Swickerath, and Kia Weatherspoon, NCIDQ, ASID also toasted the Urban Room at Van Alen Institute, made possible by former Board Chair Jared Della Valle. Our Gowanus home isn’t just an office — as an Urban Room, it’s a flexible shared space that’s already hosted 30 community meetings, countless co-design sessions, and the conversations necessary to create a more optimistic future. Huge thanks to the Bond Street Bash event committee — Hana Kassem, Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, Alex Hammerschlag, Carla Swickerath — and wonderful vendors Stacy Seebode, DJ Scribe, Free Range Wine & Spirits, and FDK Florals. See more photos here: https://lnkd.in/eKQTChxs Photos: Cameron Blaylock
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OPEN CALL — We’re seeking NYC-based community organizations interested in collaborating on Design Sprints, our newest community-led design program! Twice a year for eight weeks, Design Sprints supports local orgs as they: ☑️ Identify a pressing challenge facing their community ☑️ Join and lead teams of designers and allied professionals ☑️ Co-create a design tool that addresses that challenge Van Alen supports with scoping and facilitation, and provides $5000 in seed funding. To learn more and see outcomes by our recent Spring 2024 cohort, visit https://lnkd.in/emeEQjw2. For our Fall 2024 cohort, apply at the link below by Monday, June 3. (If you’re on a different timeline, don’t worry — the application is open on a rolling basis for future cohorts.)
Open Call: Design Sprints
airtable.com
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Van Alen Institute reposted this
Marvel is excited to be part of Van Alen Institute Design Sprints, a community-led design program. Eduardo M. Llinás Messeguer, Architectural & Urban Designer at Marvel, presented for our team last month on April 11th, showcasing our collaboration with Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) in developing an interactive map tool for Sara D. Roosevelt Park that helps advocate for the community’s influence within the capital process as a whole. More updates to come! Learn more about this ongoing initiative here: https://lnkd.in/emeEQjw2 #designeverywhereforeveryone
Design Sprints - Van Alen Institute
https://www.vanalen.org
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Our artist open call is running for a few more days — deadline Friday 4/26! Watch the recording of our info session, read the FAQs, and apply here: https://lnkd.in/ePi2UEe6
Artist and designer open call — Van Alen is seeking NYC-area artists with fresh ideas for community engagement to help inform Gowanus residents about evolving impacts of flooding. Gowanus artists encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply by 4/26 at the link below! We'll also hold an info session on Zoom, 4/9 at 5 pm — RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eieDxpMH (or watch the recording on our website later on).
Points of Promise: Artist Open Call - Van Alen Institute
https://www.vanalen.org
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Van Alen Institute reposted this
Architect and Professor, Climate and Social Community-based Resilience, Engagement, and Multidisciplinary Design, M/WBE Certifed
So nice to see friends, old and new, at the Van Alen Institute Design Sprint Summit Event last week and have the opportunity to share our work with Think!Chinatown on behalf of our fabulous design team! We are still going strong with this community-based project aimed at building awareness and capacity of local Chinatown residents with exhibition design and community engagement. Such a pleasure to collaborate with Fu Wilmers Design and Pentagram and looking forward to other projects together!
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Artist and designer open call — Van Alen is seeking NYC-area artists with fresh ideas for community engagement to help inform Gowanus residents about evolving impacts of flooding. Gowanus artists encouraged to apply. Learn more and apply by 4/26 at the link below! We'll also hold an info session on Zoom, 4/9 at 5 pm — RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eieDxpMH (or watch the recording on our website later on).
Points of Promise: Artist Open Call - Van Alen Institute
https://www.vanalen.org