Bill Harrison was a visionary whose spirit lives on in the ideals and work of the Bill Harrison Foundation. For him, architecture was not merely a career; it was a lifelong passion that he passed along to students through exposure to the building arts, inclusive education, mentorship opportunities, and the exploration and collaboration of ideas. The Foundation’s work continues to focus on creating opportunities for students to explore the world of architecture and its impact on individuals’ lives and the environments around them.
The goal, as always, is to empower and support our students, the architects of the future, forming a one-on-one connection that begins in high school and continues through precollege programs, mentorship programs, college scholarships, and study abroad programs. Our hope: that these creative architectural and design students will go on to become mentors of our student architects of the future!
High School Programming - Empowering the Architects of The Future
High School Workshops
Through our High School Career Path and Gateways to Architecture and Design sessions, students take part in a three-session interactive workshop during class time. Students explore architecture from Roman times to the modern day. They look at historical landmarks around the world, exploring the evolution of various styles including gothic vaults, Renaissance symmetry, and modern materials and technology. Students gain a basic knowledge of scale and elevation through fun activities and exercises. They work on simple elevation and floor drawings—using an architecture starter tool kit that included a sketch pad, shading pencils, and a scaling ruler—learning about key elements of architecture and implementing them into their drawings. Students explore the interaction of architecture and the built environment, gaining an understanding of the various crafts within the industry including interior design. Throughout the workshop sessions, students explored the significance of architecture in their own lives as well as its broader cultural, social, and historical implications in their communities.
Partnership With Usher's New Look
Last summer, the Foundation and Harrison Design were excited to partner with Usher's New Look—the musician’s non-profit, focuses on global comprehensive youth leadership and empowerment programs from middle school through college. In a day-long course at the offices of Harrison Design, middle and high school students were immersed in the working environment at Harrison, learning about the history and principles of the building arts, fundamental concepts that led to interactive discussions about architecture and design as a career and the pathways to degrees and licensing. Students received tool kits, and participated in sketch exercises and a broad Q&A session. Special thanks to Harrison Design, and especially to its principals John Albanese and Emily Schickner for their leadership in this amazing program.
Pre-College Summer Excursions - Creating a Pathway to the Future
High-Lighting & Supporting NOMA Atlanta Summer Program Project Pipeline
Project Pipeline’s Design Justice: The Education to Action Pipeline is a summer program by NOMA Atlanta with an exemplary mission: to empower young people to bring about positive change in their community though the power of architecture, and to advocate for fellowship, equity, and excellence in design. This year’s program will be held at Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture and will bring students who interested in architecture and design. NOMA architects and designers lead dynamic lectures that give students a working knowledge of the fundamental skills of architecture while exploring how architecture interacts with community.
Students who have attended our workshop series “Architecture and the Building Arts” are encouraged to apply to the Project Pipeline program.
This year’s program dates: June 12-14, 2024. Check back for a link to their application or visit them at Project Pipeline - NOMA
To apply for our 2024 College Scholarship, please
download the application form.
Georgia Tech Pre-College Summer University Experience Scholarships
A scholarship is available for students who have completed our workshop series “Architecture and the Building Arts”. This two-week intensive program offers students a hands-on introduction to architecture that includes a basic knowledge of architecture language, drawing, and working with scale and form. They experience an energetic immersion in the building arts with the opportunity to interact with professors, current students, recent graduates, and local practitioners.
Prior scholarship recipients showed a deep interest and dedication to architecture and design during the high school sessions, and the Foundation was honored to support them on their journey.
To apply for our 2024 Summer Program Scholarship,
please download the application form.
College Scholarships - Empowering Ambition, Enabling Success
The road to becoming an architect is long and challenging, and The Bill Harrison Foundation understands that talented students often face financial barriers while pursuing higher education. High school students who are beginning their senior year and have completed a pre-college program in architecture are currently in the application process for our college scholarship program.
Mentorship - Guiding Dreams, Shaping Futures
Bill Harrison truly believed that mentorship was the key to both supporting young students and furthering their educational and creative journey—and because of that, mentorship is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission. We believe in the power of inspiring and guiding aspiring architects and designers via work with experienced individuals, and through mentorship programs, we aim to further support students who apply to or are already attending college. With this five-to-seven-year program, students will be able to nurture their creativity, build confidence, and gain valuable insights from professionals to encourage them throughout their architecture journey.
Students who are awarded a college scholarship are matched with a mentor to support them in their college journey.
Study Abroad Grant- Expanding Horizons
Exposure to diverse cultures and architectural styles is essential to shaping well-rounded, creative professionals. The goal of the program is to open doors to a world of possibilities, allowing students to immerse themselves in global architectural heritage and innovative design practices in different countries. Through this experience, they expand their horizons, broaden their perspectives, and embrace the beauty of diversity.
Our Study Abroad Program commences this April and will bring a group of post college architects to London for five days.
If you are interested in London Program and its support grant, please email us at info@thebillharrisonfoundation.org for more information.
2024 College Scholarship Application
To apply for our 2024 College Scholarship, please download the application form.
2024 Summer Program Scholarship Application
To apply for our 2024 Summer Program Scholarship, please download the application form.
