What is a Makerspace?

The ultimate 3rd space for people who like to create!

A makerspace may be a physical location or a community of makers - people who take ideas from head to hand.

"Maker" is a pretty general term, so makerspaces take many forms to meet the needs of their community. Some areas have a lot of arts and a makerspace may focus on fine art, or some areas have a lot of manufacturing so a makerspace may focus on prototyping and engineering. Many even focus on hobbyist tools like 3D printers and small laser engravers. Some makerspaces may provide support for artisans to sell their goods, while others may just provide the opportunities to make friends.

Most makerspaces charge a monthly fee as a subscription to use equipment, like a a gym. Most will also host classes so that people can learn how to use the equipment. It can be pretty difficult to maintain a space with a budget of only what members can pay, so makerspaces are notoriously scrappy for DIYing everything they need and trading for things.

Makerspaces are awesome for people who love to try new hobbies. There are people around to learn from and people who may be able to share material expenses. You don't have to make a huge commitment to try something new!

It's important for communities to have makerspaces because innovation must come from the community's needs. Having a makerspace in your community means that people are creatively inventing solutions to their problems, adding skills, and expanding their minds with hands-on learning. Makerspaces also provide resources for people to learn trades like carpentry, welding, and construction, which every town needs. On top of the technical skills, makerspaces teach people how to work together - cooperative organizations are rare, but there is great power in pooling resources for a common goal!