The Gibbs Design Activism Awards (GDAA) is a new grant initiative that supports student-led design and research projects that critically engage topics of community, social, and economic concern within the built environment—at Gibbs College, on the University of Oklahoma (OU) Campus, and across Oklahoma. The GDAA is consistent with OU’s Lead On Plan to advance principles of equity, diversity, and belonging specifically articulated in Pillars 4 and 5. The GDAA was made possible with support from the OU Institute for Community and Society Transformation and the Institute for Quality Communities.
Student projects can address economic, social, cultural and public health challenges and problems which manifest in physical space and the built environment. Proposals that address underrepresented and underserved groups and communities in the design fields are especially welcome.
Awards range from $1,500-$8,000. Number of awarded projects depends on applications. Applicants may apply for awards up to $8,000. There will be two information sessions – March 28, at noon in the Gould Hall Buskuhl Gallery, and April 11, at noon on Zoom.
The GDAA supports proposals in three categories – community connections, special events and exhibits, and curricular interventions. All applications must list a Gibbs College faculty sponsor.
*****GDAA DEADLINE EXTENSION*****
The deadline for submissions to the Gibbs Design Activism Awards has been extended to Friday, April 29 at 6pm.
For more information on how to apply, contact faculty organizer Dr. Wanda Katja Liebermann [wkliebermann@ou.edu].
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
