Makerspaces Aplenty! – Good Pursuits

Since Maker Faire I’ve been fascinated with the burgeoning variety of hobby spaces where tinkerers gather. Begun typically after a chance meeting of a few enthusiasts, the first period of time is often spent meeting periodically at a local coffee shop with free wifi. The ambitions bloom but financial resources are always a constraint. Finally, enough people want to make it happen and they band together to fund the lease of a space.

Some might think this is the end of the road, the achievement of the goal. Honestly, as I’ve learned from the space I helped establish (Nova Labs), it’s only the beginning. There’s organizing, incorporating, establishing systems, defining policy, finding insurance, gathering tools, building out the space, and so much more that needs to be done! Thankfully, I’ve found makers to be real can-do people so getting things accomplished as been fast if not always easy.

Those that successfully navigate the troubling waters of startup become spots on my radar worth visiting. There’s a map of active makerspaces which I use to guide my visits while traveling. Amazingly, with enough forewarning most places are happy to open their doors to a visitor. Only a handful of the list below were closed when I arrived.

I enjoy hearing their stories and feeling their enthusiasm.
Those tales and passions are what drive me forward.
To date I’ve visited the 49 makerspaces below.