Join the California Architectural Foundation (CAF) in creating something special: a new statewide Architecture Coloring Book that celebrates incredible buildings and the diverse architects who design them.
Born from AIA Central Valley’s passion for equity, diversity and inclusion, and now expanding statewide through CAF, the coloring book is a celebration of:
- Our diverse architectural community
- Iconic and everyday buildings that shape our communities
- The profession, inspiring the next generation of architects
Submissions support CAF’s Built Environment Education Programs (BEEP): KidsDraw and Architecture by the Book and will be distributed during AIA Architecture Week CAF activations, helping people of all ages discover how architecture impacts their daily lives while sparking an interest in architecture and design.
2026 Dates
February 2 – Submissions Open
March 2 – Submissions Close
April 6 – Coloring Book published
Why We Need YOU
California is HUGE and beautifully diverse! We need illustrations and drawings from architects and students from Redding to San Diego, from Monterey to the Sierra foothills. Whether you practice in a bustling metro or a small town, your contribution is welcome. Let’s show everyone that great architecture exists in every corner of our state, and that architects come from all walks of life.
What We’re Looking For
Drawings and illustrations of buildings located in California (or anywhere in the world) submitted by architects, emerging professionals and students living in California.
- Buildings that are accessible by the public (no private interiors, no gated communities) and on a map. Think of places people can actually visit and explore.
- An accompanying story about the building, the architect, or both.
How to Participate
Create a drawing or illustration. It may be hand-sketched or digital, whatever works for you! Make sure to include white space for coloring. Here are a few examples for inspiration.
Quick specs: Minimum 300dpi file (.png, .jpg, .tiff), layout size is open but content will be reduced to fit letter-size page of 8.5 x 11)
- Complete the submission form providing:
– A short statement on the building / project (4 sentences max)- Individual/student entries: add your artist statement and headshot
- Firms: provide your logo and a statement about your firm
- Make a tax-deductible donation to CAF, a 501c3 organization.
- Upload your illustration
Entry Fees
FIRMS: $150 suggested minimum donation
→ Your logo appears in the coloring book + firm is an official sponsor
INDIVIDUAL ARCHITECTS: $25 suggested donation
STUDENTS & EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: FREE!
Selection Process
We’ll curate submissions to represent geographic and professional diversity, include student work, and avoid duplicates of the same building. Due to space, not all submissions will be included. We will notify applicants if their submission is selected before the coloring book is published. The coloring book will be released as a PDF with limited print copies.
Questions? Contact CAF Ashley Taylor: ataylor@aiacalifornia.org or Kimberly Anderson, Hon AIA CA kanderson@aiacalifornia.org.
View the coloring books from AIA Central Valley that inspired this new opportunity:
