Following the latest news that the Board of Directors of the School of Architecture at Taliesin (SoAT) has voted to reconsider a previous decision to close the school, Archinect reached out to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation for comment.
In response, the Foundation, which owns and maintains the buildings at both of the Taliesin locations used by the school, issued a lengthy statement, which has been published in full below. Archinect will continue to publish updates and additional reporting on the developing situation.
Statement from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation:
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation learned through stories the School of Architecture’s lawyers had placed in the media of their change in plans to remain open based on its assessment that it has secured funding and a new path to increase enrollment. Despite having two representatives on their board, the Foundation has little information about these new income sources and programs, which remain to be vetted by the School’s accreditors, its lawyers, and its own finance committee. Questions also remain about the School’s leadership, in light of the departure of the current dean /president later this Spring, and how that impacts the direction of a revised program.
The Foundation believes that the timing of this most recent proposal to the School’s board, the notion of which was communicated to them shortly before its January 25 decision to close, does not reflect the careful exercise of fiduciary oversight incumbent on the organization’s Governors. The School’s announcements and lack of planning for the consequences of its earlier decision have adversely affected the lives of its employees who were terminated, generated distraction for its students from their studies and future planning, upset its alumni community, and disrupted the Foundation’s own important work. The board has demonstrated more concern about seeking blame for its decision to close than creating a sustainable business model for itself.
Since the School’s initial announcement about its decision to close, the Foundation has heard from former apprentices, alumni, members of the profession and leaders of professional organizations, along with members of our community. This diverse group of stakeholders is hungry for impactful programs for training architects and design professionals in the evolving principles of organic architecture—rooted in Wright’s ideas, but applied to our present and future built environment. We have spoken with the leaders of several prominent M. Arch. programs about partnering with the Foundation to create accredited programs on the Foundation’s campuses. And we are proud that many of the ideas that we are discussing are based closely on the program of apprenticeship that was the hallmark of Wright’s Fellowship—and something absent from our campuses since Taliesin Associated Architects, the practice that was the framework of the school’s pedagogy, was closed in the mid-2000’s. We will continue to advance these explorations while the School, an independent organization, is vetting its programs, and look forward to evaluating all available options to secure the future of training professionals at Taliesin and Taliesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright’s 88-year-legacy of architect training will continue at his two homes.
Because of the uncertainties around the School proposal, and the lack of any direct communication from the school itself, the Foundation will have no further response until the necessary evaluations by the accreditors, attorneys, and financial stewards of the School proposals are completed and brought directly to the Foundation for consideration towards the renewal of the expiring Memorandum of Understanding. However, it is imperative if the Foundation allows for the use of Taliesin and Taliesin West by any independent organization, that the work that will occur on these two campuses, each part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflect both financial soundness and professional programmatic content that can advance the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright. We do not intend to debate or negotiate this matter in the press or in social media and plan no further statement at this time.
As always, Taliesin and Taliesin West remain open and thriving, welcoming record numbers of visitors from around the world to learn from Wright’s principles of organic architecture through the experience of his most personal designs.
"And we are proud that many of the ideas that we are discussing are based closely on the program of apprenticeship that was the hallmark of Wright’s Fellowship—and something absent from our campuses since Taliesin Associated Architects, the practice that was the framework of the school’s pedagogy, was closed in the mid-2000’s"
Here's an idea, instead of spending resources into opening a new program why not spend it on preserving the already existent one that has a direct lineage of the fellows. Furthermore, how do they expect to train apprentices with only one architect on the board? What they say and their actions are not lining up.
I read a press release earlier from the foundation claiming the SOAT wasn't able to provide the students with proper software. It's really laughable. Goes to show that they do not understand at all how an architecture program works. What software? For 3d modeling? Or for graphics? Either way there is no school that actually provides these programs for free. It's like expecting all university's and colleges to provide all the students with a textbook.
The foundation repeatedly claims to show concern for the students but I have yet to have read any ways in which the foundation is showing support. It's all empty words.
The only 'support' I see is the foundation cancelling the student's shelter tours which is crucial for their personal fundraising to raise funds to go overseas to expand their horizons.
The only 'support' I see is the students breaking down when recalling how Stuart Graff the foundations CEO verbally assaulted him by calling him "nothing" and to "f***o**" repeatedly. (You can find records of these on the Arizona post secondary education commissions public hearing of the schools closure. It's all public news)
The only support I see the the Foundation agreeing to allow a student to pursue their studies through the shelter building only to take back their agreement a couple of weeks later.
The foundation does not care for anything but themselves. The public hearing at the Arizona post secondary education commissions really goes to show that they are only looking out for their own self interest.
All 7 Comments
“As always, the Foundation remains open to all the tourists looking to buy FLW ties and trivets to continue paying the quarter-million dollar salary of our executive director.”
"And we are proud that many of the ideas that we are discussing are based closely on the program of apprenticeship that was the hallmark of Wright’s Fellowship—and something absent from our campuses since Taliesin Associated Architects, the practice that was the framework of the school’s pedagogy, was closed in the mid-2000’s"
Here's an idea, instead of spending resources into opening a new program why not spend it on preserving the already existent one that has a direct lineage of the fellows. Furthermore, how do they expect to train apprentices with only one architect on the board? What they say and their actions are not lining up.
I read a press release earlier from the foundation claiming the SOAT wasn't able to provide the students with proper software. It's really laughable. Goes to show that they do not understand at all how an architecture program works. What software? For 3d modeling? Or for graphics? Either way there is no school that actually provides these programs for free. It's like expecting all university's and colleges to provide all the students with a textbook.
The foundation repeatedly claims to show concern for the students but I have yet to have read any ways in which the foundation is showing support. It's all empty words.
The only 'support' I see is the foundation cancelling the student's shelter tours which is crucial for their personal fundraising to raise funds to go overseas to expand their horizons.
The only 'support' I see is the students breaking down when recalling how Stuart Graff the foundations CEO verbally assaulted him by calling him "nothing" and to "f***o**" repeatedly. (You can find records of these on the Arizona post secondary education commissions public hearing of the schools closure. It's all public news)
The only support I see the the Foundation agreeing to allow a student to pursue their studies through the shelter building only to take back their agreement a couple of weeks later.
The foundation does not care for anything but themselves. The public hearing at the Arizona post secondary education commissions really goes to show that they are only looking out for their own self interest.
Closing of this school is a sin. Agree with the comments made by Emma Lee. The people on the Foundation are clueless. Professionals with knowledge and experience should have been involved a long time ago.
Well said Emma Lee, thank you!
As one of the Taliesin Twelve I pledged my “hard earned” money I made through my architectural practice to save the school five years ago.
I am 100% behind the school boards plan to continue the school once again.
I love the students I have met from my many visits to both Taliesin’s and attending most of the schools social functions and graduations. Their passion for architecture is contagious and encourages me personally and professionally.
Behind the scene, I have read Mr.& Mrs. Wrights Last Will in Testament and as stewards of their historical documents, the Foundation has a responsibility to assure their final wishes are carried out in perpetuity.
The Foundation and the School were established as one.
As an architect I am troubled that the foundation is managed by a group of biopic, narrow minded individuals with binders that “think” they know architecture. All they have proven is consistent disregard for Mr. & Mrs Wrights legacy and commitment to the future builders of our world.
Shame on the Foundation for not supporting the future of architecture. The Foundation needs to be run by a group that is “passionate and dedicated” about architecture and keeping ALL of Mr Wrights legacy alive. It can’t be done by a group led by an angry attorney.
Unfortunately contrary to what the Foundation has spun in the media, the School Board was squeezed into a no win situation. The School Board was only thinking about the students well being while being forced into a corner. They now have a viable plan. The Foundation is trying their best to discount their solution. They are at their best “clueless”. As Emma stated they had very little interaction with the school and the students.
Let’s all get behind the School Board and EVERYONE who is trying to save the school and support the students.
The STUDENTS are the future of architecture , not UNESCO brick and mortar buildings (fact: Taliesin West was built by Mr. Wright’s “apprentices/students”)
I truly believe there will be another winning chapter in SOAT’s biography.
Talk about "the dog that didn't bark", what is the AIA's position on the school closing?
All of the programs mentioned would be more legitimately delivered with an accredited architecture school in residence. Graduated and Graduate students can teach (you idiots) about Wright and organic Architecture.
"However, it is imperative if the Foundation allows for the use of Taliesin and Taliesin West by any independent organization, that the work that will occur on these two campuses". ...Spoken like a true mixed uses landlord who is maximizing their profitable investment. The second paragraph waxes on about learning opportunities for other graduates and school. This wholly is at odds with Frank Lloyd Wright's last wishes, and throws everyone who has ever been a fellowship member and school alumni under the bus for their decades of service to the Wrights and their mission, and discarding what was created: a legal, accredited, architecture school and degree in Wrights name of organic architecture. The infrastructure is already there "Foundation" for the mission you stated in the second paragraph and its iterations. You are simply not wanting students and faculty in residence to challenge your governance and compete for dinor resources? Is this counter productive to the Foundations actual, true mission? Not when you look at history, fools.
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