City of Austin

The City of Austin invites the community to explore ideas from local students through the upcoming Third Spaces Design Galleries, featuring work from grades 4–11. The galleries showcase concepts developed in the Third Spaces Create to Code Challenge, created with the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance Initiative and Generation ATX, Mayor Watson’s commitment to making Austin the best place in America to be a kid.

Students designed app concepts to help kids find third spaces and travel to them safely. Their ideas reflect how young people experience belonging, mobility, exploration, and community connection across Austin. The in-person gallery at Austin City Hall will run through Friday, March 13, where visitors can view student concept boards and learn about features such as discovery tools, accessibility considerations, and ways to access welcoming places citywide.

Beginning March 8, a virtual gallery will also open for 30 days. At createtocode.studio, visitors can browse student designs, swipe through app screens, and vote for their favorite ideas from any device, with no account required. The “Build” feature lets users mix and match components from different designs to create a custom Wishlist and share it with friends. Community feedback and selections will help the City understand how Austinites envision an online tool that connects youth with meaningful belonging and inclusive gathering places.

“Generation ATX is about making Austin the best place in America to be a kid, and that starts by listening to young people. The students who took part in the Create to Code Challenge showed us what is possible when we give youth the tools to design solutions for their own communities. Now we need their voices, and the voices of even more young Austinites, to help shape an app that truly works for them. I encourage every young person to explore the gallery and share their ideas," said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

By reviewing the designs and offering feedback, the community can support the next generation of Austin innovators and help shape the future of third space exploration tools.