Architecture Resource Center

The Architecture Resource Center (ARC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving critical, creative, and problem-solving skills in K-12 students by teaching them how to apply principles of architecture, urban design, engineering, industrial design, and graphic design to their own world. Our mission is to provide hands-on, participatory, and hands-on programs that reinforce students' learning through applied science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Our History

The ARC was founded in 1991 as the education component of the non-profit Connecticut Architecture Foundation. Due to our rapid growth and successful programs, we incorporated as a separate non-profit organization in March 2005. Our programs are organized into three categories: K-12 Programs, Community/Festival Programs, and Outreach.

Our Programs

We offer a range of programs that cater to different age groups and interests. Our K-12 Programs, led by Master Teaching Artists/Designers, conduct 90-minute classroom workshops daily over 5-10 days. Our Community/Festival Programs collaborate with cultural and social-service agencies to create participatory family events. Our Outreach efforts involve ARC leadership participating in state, national, and international conferences and organizations focused on advancing the field of Design Education.

Our Approach

Our programs show students how to use what they're learning in the real world. We create participatory and hands-on programs that reinforce students' learning through applied science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. We also stimulate and foster critical, creative and problem-solving skills for students and teachers. Our programs establish partnerships among families, schools, communities, and businesses, and encourage meaningful design programs as part of basic education that include the principles of architecture; urban design; engineering, industrial design, and graphic design.

Our Partnerships

We are proud to partner with various organizations to further our mission. The Design Connections Partnership (DCP) is one such example, which is currently in its sixth year and involves ten New Haven public schools in grades 1-5. This multi-year, multi-grade project is part of the mathematics curriculum and aims to use architecture and design as a problem-solving tool to integrate math and science learning with sequential and comprehensive art and design-based learning.

Our Impact

Our programs have received awards from state, national, and international organizations as well as businesses. We believe that our hands-on, participatory, and hands-on approach to learning has a profound impact on students, teachers, and communities. Our programs promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the 21st century.