Office for Socially Engaged Practice
The Sam Fox School’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice connects students and faculty to communities in St. Louis and beyond to collaborate on meaningful projects in art, architecture, and design. These collaborations allow students to experience St. Louis beyond the WashU campus while supporting education, innovation, and more in our community.
What we do
Our Work
The Office for Socially Engaged Practice facilitates a variety of programs, from the longstanding University City Public Art Series and Alberti Program: Architecture for Young People, to newer initiatives like student fellowships and faculty grants. In each case, the office connects WashU students and faculty to community partners working on real-world issues.
Socially Engaged Courses
Open to all WashU students, courses emphasizing socially engaged practice give students the opportunity to broaden their perspective and contribute to projects that have a tangible impact in their community — from creating 3D-printed sculptures installed in St. Louis’ Cortex Innovation District to designing and building unique upcycled bicycles with St. Louis youth.
Grants & Awards
Students and faculty are invited to apply for funding through the Office for Socially Engaged Practice for community projects, collaborations, courses, and fellowships.
Minor in Creative Practice for Social Change
Supported by the Office for Socially Engaged Practice and available to all WashU undergraduates, the minor in Creative Practice for Social Change prepares students to tackle large-scale challenges through a creative and collaborative lens.
Events and News
Sep 19, 12 – 6pm • Delmar Loop, 6225 Delmar Blvd.
Join the Office for Socially Engaged Practice on PARK(ing) Day as we transform the parking lane along Delmar from Hamilton to Laurel into a vibrant public space with plants, seating, and more. This large-scale streetscape demonstration lets you walk through and experience proposed designs for a greener, more pedestrian-friendly Delmar Boulevard. Share your feedback, meet local partners, and be part of shaping the future of our street!
We’re looking for volunteers to help bring the East Loop PARK(ing) Day Streetscape Activation to life on Friday, September 19th along Delmar Blvd (5800–5900 block). Volunteer shifts start with setup at 9 AM, event support runs 12–6 PM, and take down begins at 6 PM. Tasks include painting planter areas, setting up barricades and trees, setting up engagement boards, greeting visitors, and helping us capture community feedback.
This is a great opportunity to be part of a fun, hands-on project that previews the future look and feel of the East Loop streetscape! Volunteers are welcome to join the East Loop Business Appreciation Party from 4pm - 6pm for free food and drink.
Featured news
The University City Public Art Series, a decades-long collaboration between WashU’s Sam Fox School and neighboring University City, returns this spring with three temporary public art installations .
Featured news
The Sam Fox School’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice will partner with the nonprofit Be Well Café & Market in St. Louis’ Hyde Park neighborhood for the school’s inaugural Summer Public Design Wor
Featured news
The Sam Fox School will host a public screening of the locally created short film, “Vision,” on Tuesday, February 18, at 5:30 p.m. in Steinberg Auditorium.
WHO WE ARE
Situated within WashU’s Sam Fox School, the Office for Socially Engaged Practice was established in 2014.
Today, it facilitates dozens of collaborative projects and courses each year, with three full-time staff and up to two practicum students.
Director of the Office for Socially Engaged Practice; Lecturer
Curriculum and Outreach Coordinator, Office for Socially Engaged Practice
Project Manager for Public Design Projects