The Curry Stone Design Prize recognizes exceptional designers based on individual merit and the potential to bring their ideas to fruition. The prize focuses on emerging design ideas that contribute to the vitality of the world community. These designs may improve the human spirit, increase awareness of the environment, or respond to an area of need, whether to provide shelter and clean water or address climate change and humanitarian crises. The prize is part of a $5.5 million gift to the University of Kentucky College of Design from alumnus Clifford Curry and his wife H. Delight Stone of Oregon. As the principal architect for William Colson, Curry helped pioneer modern-day retirement developments as affordable and livable communities.