The Vernacular Architecture Forum seeks nominations for the 2021 VAF Advocacy Award. The application deadline is January 4, 2021.

The VAF Advocacy Award recognizes exemplary efforts and achievements on behalf of the vernacular built heritage. The award honors individuals and groups for exceptional contributions toward the interpretation, appreciation, and protection of vernacular buildings and cultural landscapes and recognizes outstanding initiative, commitment, and action to promote and protect vernacular resources. The award may be made in recognition of a specific effort or a long-term record. Awardee will be given two full registrations to the VAF conference and a certificate of excellence.

Eligibility

Any public or private entity or individual in North America may be nominated.

Nominations

Nominations should include the following:

1. A summary paragraph of the nominee’s advocacy effort or highlights of the nominee’s long-term advocacy work.

2. A 1000-word narrative that explains how the nominee’s work has contributed to the appreciation and protection of vernacular buildings and/or cultural landscapes. This narrative should include information about the vernacular resources and their history that were the object of the nominee’s advocacy efforts, emphasizing the public outreach—such as curricula, print media, websites, social media, and public speaking—that is the basis for the nomination.

3. A description of people and organization partners that contributed to the advocacy effort.

4. For advocacy over a career, a timeline or chronology noting the highlights of the nominee’s advocacy.

5. Images of the vernacular resources that were the focus of the advocacy effort and

events that contributed to the effort and links to websites or other relevant digital outreach developed for the nominated project.

Submissions

Please submit nomination materials electronically in a single zip file OR as a link to a single downloadable file on a cloud drive to advocacy@vafweb.org. Should the file size exceed 50MB, please communicate with us at the same address.  If you must send a paper or hard copy of your nomination and its supporting documentation, please email us so that we may make alternate arrangements.

Hard copies should be sent to:

Carter L. Hudgins

70 Bull Street

Charleston, SC 29401

The application deadline for 2021 VAF Advocacy Award is January 4, 2021.