ZACH Theatre, IKEA, and CITYGRAM Austin announce the launch of The Creative Spaces Challenge, a competitive re-design challenge inviting Austin’s very best stagers, space planners, organizers, and designers, students and professionals of all levels, to re-envision the use of administrative office space housed in ZACH’s Whisenhunt and Kleberg buildings. Following the 2012 construction of the beautiful and modern Topfer Theatre performance space, designed by Andersson-Wise, The Creative Spaces Challenge is planned to improve administrative space functionality, efficiency, and aesthetic to match that of the Topfer Theatre. IKEA cohosts this design challenge, providing both a $2500 budget in IKEA goods to supplement the participants’ designs, as well as mentorship opportunities throughout the competition. Special video features produced by CITYGRAM Austin will also document the competition along the way so the community can follow along in the CITYGRAM app.

“In the past two years, ZACH has grown tremendously in both the production capabilities on stage and the support staff who work here. While our staff has grown, our administrative space has not. We know we can achieve better functionality in our administrative space with the help of Austin’s creative minds and look forward to a dramatically improved ‘office life’ experience with their assistance,” said ZACH Theatre Managing Director, Elisbeth Challener.

This challenge asks participants to reimagine the use of ZACH’s administrative space using only existing furniture, floor plan, $2500 in IKEA products, and limitless imagination.  The winning submission will be awarded a package of ZACH benefits including show tickets, special event invitations, and exposure, as well as a $500 IKEA gift certificate.

Registration opens on November 17, 2014 on ZACH Theatre’s website<http://www.zachtheatre.org/content/zach-ikea-creative-spaces-challenge>. Participants will be invited to attend a walk-through of the space where IKEA representatives will provide educational and mentorship opportunities as well as design idea feedback. Finalists will be honored at a cocktail reception where their submissions will be on display and the winner will be announced.

About ZACH Theatre
A non-profit organization, ZACH creates intimate theatre experiences that ignite the imagination, inspire the spirit, and engage the community. As Austin’s leading professional producing theatre, ZACH employs more than 300 actors, musicians, and designers annually to create its own diverse array of nationally recognized plays and musicals under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Each year, ZACH serves nearly 115,000 Central Texans – 50,000 of which are children and youth who participate in our education and outreach programs, as well as the inspiring camps and classes. ZACH Theatre is honored to host private and community events across the beautiful rental-ready spaces on our three-stage campus located in the heart of Austin. Founded in 1932 and in its 82nd season, ZACH is the longest continuously running theatre company in the state of Texas, and one of the ten oldest in the country. Visit www.zachtheatre.org<http://www.zachtheatre.org/> for more information.

ZACH Theatre’s 2014-2015 Season is sponsored in part, by Applied Materials, Austin Catering, Baylor Scott & White Health, Holiday Inn-Lady Bird Lake, Kirk Tuck Photography, Marquee Event Group, OnRamp Access, Schlotzsky’s and KXAN TV 36; and by grants from The Shubert Foundation, the Junior League of Austin , The National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

Connect with ZACH on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/zachtheatre, Twitter @ZACHtheatre http://www.twitter.com/zachtheatre, Instagram http://instagram.com/zachtheatre and Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/zachtheatre.

About IKEA
IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com<http://IKEA-USA.com/>.

About CITYGRAM Austin Magazine
Citygram Austin is a new magazine app designed for your smartphone or tablet. The app has gained industry recognition for its design, ease of use, and convenience as a city guide and lifestyle magazine. Be in the know of the people making a difference in Austin, along with latest happenings in Austin’s dining and live music scene by downloading a free issue today for your iOS<https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/citygram-austin/id892294163?mt=8> or Android<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.citygrammag.austin&hl=en> device.

@mlinnen, @paigeturner, #ikea, #zachtheatre, #citygram, #designchallenge

Posted by Damita Miller-Shanklin

damitashanklin@ujimamagazine.com