The Planning and Visual Education partnership (PAVE) has awarded the 2010 Helping Hand Fund Grants. Created in 2008, the PAVE Helping Hand Fund provides funds to accredited educational institutions to enhance the quality of programs and services for students entering into careers in the retail design and planning, visual merchandising, and interior design industries.

The PAVE Board task force reviewed grant requests meeting the criteria to determine award decisions. To be eligible for a grant, the school must have had at least three students participate in PAVE’s 2010 Student Design Competition, sponsored by Godiva Chocolatier Inc. The following three grants were awarded.

The Fashion Institute of Technology was awarded $2,500 for a project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 25, 2011, Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Open for public viewing March 16-29, 2011, the exhibit remembrance . response . reform by first-year students offered a poignant look at this historic event that influenced the retail/garment industry. The fire killed 146 women, mostly young immigrants, and sparked a movement for social justice and union representation in the workplace. The informative exhibition included eyewitness accounts and engaging displays inspired by children's pop-up books. The majority of the projects were made of paper and foamcore by the Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design students.

LIM College was awarded $6,000 for The Green Lab—A Sustainable Materials Lab and Research Center. This project will create a resource for students and industry alike. Students will have access to the collection of sustainable materials for specification in their class projects. Additionally, the lab and research center will be accessible to young industry professionals who might not have access to a facility of this nature. The lab will also serve as a learning and information tool, to further the study and understanding of sustainability.

The Sage Colleges—Sage College of Albany was awarded $6,500 for the creation of a “Smart Studio.” The school will transform and upgrade its existing technology, procuring a SMART Board Interactive White Board. The technology will enable a multi-purpose studio environment to conduct lectures, critiques, and interactive design and drawing experiences.