A maker space is a safe, neutral zone inhabited by construction tools, know-how and hope.
It is designed to incubate creativity and projects. Projects cause direction, commerce, fulfillment and connectivity to locale.
They also link locale/place to abroad.
Maker spaces are not business incubators. That is a different engine that is designed and dedicated to a different purpose. Instead, maker spaces are multi-age, scrappy, filled with repurpose ideas, crafts and nuttiness.
Maker spaces "acquire" tools. A lathe. A drill press. But they are really nothing more than old or repurposed factories turned toward what people want to do in a social way. Their most important tools are a kettle and a coffee maker and a sign that welcomes those who want to touch that place in them that solders, shows, grinds, weaves, etc.
Every place that is going to be a place needs a maker space. It needs lots of them. They are ideally a set of rooms around a well-lit bay of naturally lit tables dedicated to doing things.
The talk and showing will come naturally. It is a place that 17 year olds think is "cool." It is also a place where old men want to "hang out" and women want to coffee klatch. It is all that and not dedicated to any of it.
In needs insurance and organization--a board--but it doesn't need a staff beyond the volunteer who knows how to show how to safely use the new 3-D printer or CNC machine. It is secure. It watches itself from vandalism and theft. It collects materials like boards and old radios and has storage rooms that have honor system purchases from them where people sign a list saying they took an aluminium bar.
They are centres of renewal and community and essential placemakers.
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