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Title: Makerspace Theory Date: 2024-06-12 Category: Notes Summary: Lessons learned from running and visiting makerspaces.
Makerspaces are solarpunk since they give people a place to improve their communities. This document outlines lessons learned by the authors from running and visiting makerspaces around the world.
Community
Focus on community building and finding people that want to be part of the makerspace. Organize social events like open house nights, work parties, or hackathons.
The community and members should shape what the makerspace is, not the other way around. Determine what the community needs and provide it.
Advertising
The makerspace should have a cogent website that describes what a makerspace is (many people don't know) and what makes your makerspace special. Include pictures and detailed descriptions of work areas and how memberships work. Include contact info that feels personal and direct, not a generic form to fill out. When people ask you questions, use that as a hint for what info your website is missing.
Hold events, classes, and workshops that are open to the public to get people in and seeing what a makerspace is. Make it obvious that they have the option of joining your community.
Finances
The makerspace should be a non-profit company or charity.
Everyone pays member dues (even any directors or owners). This helps the non-profit survive by being able to pay bills and helps prevent the creation of an out-group and and in-group.
The space should welcome commercial activity as long as it's not impeding or exploiting the makerspace. Commercial users can contribute back a percentage of revenue, or volunteer their time.
The space itself can operate some kind of commercial activity by helping make things that are useful to others. Sustainable projects are a good example.
Member Termination
A makerspace needs to be able to get rid of toxic members using a subjective process, not vulnerable to political manipulation or rules lawyer-ing. An example may be simply giving the directors or owners the ability to end memberships.