Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has served as the primary professional organization for architects for close to 150 years, and is perhaps best known to the general public for its annual architectural and design awards. On the website, visitors can learn about the career opportunities for those interested in becoming an architect and read about various outreach efforts that the AIA is currently embarking on. The general public will appreciate the "Knowledge Communities" area, which gives access to the wealth of knowledge provided by AIA members in a number of different thematic areas, including historic preservation, religious architecture, and sustainable design. Additionally, visitors to the site can peruse the latest edition of AIAarchitect, which provides timely news to the architectural community throughout the United States.