Video: Center Stage, Austin, 2013

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Creative Action Building Campaign: Founder/Architect Eva Schone Explains Concept

Creative Action supplies a link to the Trophyology website of its founder, architect Eva Schone:

Besides designing TROPHYOLOGY’s awards and recognition gifts, founder and creative director Eva Schone enjoyed her work as a project architect with Tom Hurt Architecture in Austin, Texas.

These two parts of Eva’s creative work come together in a project that is very special to her and that embodies many of the values that we hold dear at TROPHYOLOGY.

Earlier this month, ground was broken in East Austin for the new headquarters building for Creative Action. This nonprofit group, headed by executive director Karen LaShelle, inspires youths to learn academically, socially and emotionally through arts activities. Creative Action serves more than 18,000 children a year in our community.

Tom Hurt Architecture was selected to be the architecture firm for the new building in 2009, and it was Eva’s distinct pleasure to be the project architect for this project. Working closely with Tom Hurt, she designed the building and managed the design process. “We’ve been working on this project for the past 3 ½ years,” Eva says. “This has been a dream project for me. It is has every aspect that I am looking for as an architect.“ Slated to open in September 2014, the building, situated on a triangular lot that challenged the architects, will have 7,500 square feet over two stories. The ground floor will welcome program participants in classroom spaces, and the upper floor will house Creative Action’s administrative offices.

The story of the project begins several years ago, when the Meredith family, which is well known for their significant philanthropic contributions in Austin, had a vision to create a community hub in East Austin, adjacent to the MLK light rail stop. The Sustainable Food Center and PeopleFund are the other two organizations that form the trifecta of the new “Chestnut Social Profit Village.” In addition, the development will include an amphitheater, trails, a skate park and community gardens.

The new Center for Creative Action was designed to have generous views of the community gardens and rooms filled with daylight, which was important to Eva. “Natural light has such positive effects on children and learning.” Eva notes. In addition, ”operable windows will allow the building users to “live with the seasons,” she says. Reclaimed brick will bring a quality material to the building. Eva is proud that the project team was able to secure the reclaimed brick at a reduced price, assisting the sustainability of the building in more than one way. A prominent brick exterior wall will continue throughout the building like a spine, Eva says, so that the beautiful, history-rich brick can be appreciated both on the outside and on the inside.

Read more and view architectural sketches at www.trophyology.com

Opportunity for Teaching, Theatre Action Project

Found on-line:

Have a Direct Impact on Austin Area Youth: Join the Tap Team

by Patrick Torres, Middle School and High School Program Director

Theatre Action Project (TAP) is seeking artists to join us in helping students see the arts as a tool for social change! We are a team of professionally trained artists and educators that work in partnership with school communities to lead unique and engaging arts programs which allow young people to learn critical life skills, gain tools for creative expression and have successful experiences that build self-esteem and confidence.

We are currently seeking Teaching Artists for the 2011-2012 school year to work with Austin area youth in our TAP After School programming for grades pre-K – 1h.

Applicants must have professional artistic experience and demonstrate a genuine interest in arts education. Teaching Artists (TAs) at TAP must be highly creative, energetic, enthusiastic team players with experience in writing curriculum. All TAs are hired as part-time employees for the duration of the school year, August – June. TAs are expected to have general availability between the hours of 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM Monday – Friday, although specific schedules will be determined according to school placements. TAs must be available for training starting August 22.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in this position please email your CV or resume to patrick@theatreactionproject.org no later than July 31, 2011.

If you love TAP, but don’t feel qualified to teach or just can’t find time in your busy schedule to work in our after school programs, YOU CAN STILL HELP, just:

• Forward this notice to any one who you believe might make a good addition to our team.

• Volunteer to help us get ready for the start of our fall programming.

• Make a donation to us to ensure we can continue to bring high quality arts programming to the area’s youth!

• Come to our events to see the work of our city’s talented youth!