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Nov 11, 2023

Tinker and learn at these makerspaces in the U.S. and Canada

Makerspaces are collaborative spaces where people gather to get creative with DIY projects, tinker with inventions, and share ideas, all the while housing all the tools, both large and small, that

Makerspaces are collaborative spaces where people gather to get creative with DIY projects, tinker with inventions, and share ideas, all the while housing all the tools, both large and small, that they may need to complete complex projects. At these spaces, members and students alike are invited to explore subjects like welding, sewing, robotics, lasers, electronics, and more all while making friends and making things!

In the spirit of back to school time, we’ve rounded up a list of twenty makerspaces across the US and Canada to point you in the right direction if you’re looking to expand your horizons (and play with some power tools).

Don’t see one of your favorite makerspaces listed below? Be sure to show them some love on Yelp.

Seattle Makers – Seattle, WATheir mission is “to provide the knowledge, tools, and space for anyone to make their ideas a reality.” Check out their events calendar to learn more about community meetups like Queer Crafters and educational opportunities like woodshop 101.

Artisan’s Asylum – Somerville, MA This 52,000 square foot fabrication wonderland houses 160 personal studios and 15 shared member workspaces including a bike shop, woodshop, and fiber arts studio. Public workshops include kite-making, linocut printing, and the S’more-a-Saurus welding class where students create a fire-breathing steel dinosaur that roasts marshmallows!

Milwaukee Makerspace – Milwaukee, WICheck out one of their member affinity groups like the Steel Tigerlillies (a “womxn’s led sculpture gang” of welders) and the Guardians of the Good Scissors sewing group, or, join them for regular board game nights, educational workshops, and more.

Tinkermill – Longmont, COThe largest makerspace in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, Tinkermill offers nearly a dozen “shops” in specialties like ceramics, textiles, flameworking, robotics, and even aluminum casting.

ACE Makerspace – Oakland, CABecome a member for 24/7 access to 5 zones of tools like laser cutters and 3D printers. You can also sign up for a standalone workshops like journaling with watercolor, visible clothing mending, zine making, and even Lego building!

Southside Hackerspace – Chicago, ILWith a focus on “cool tools and cool people” you can find a collaborative environment here while exploring electronics, woodworking, and even help cultivate a community garden during the warmer months.

Freeside – Atlanta, GA Entirely run by volunteers who specialize in areas like machining, medical equipment, arcade games, and more. Musicians will love their regular “synthesizer meetups” where members come together to talk synths and electronic music.

1819 Innovation Hub – Cincinnati, OHAffiliated with the University of Cincinnati, 1819 Innovation Hub is a 12,000 square foot space packed with equipment spanning basic hand tools to advanced manufacturing. Members also have access to some of the best academic instructors and researchers in the region.

Craftsman Ave – Brooklyn, NY Grab your sweetie or a pal and join them for one of their date or buddy night workshops where you can weld steel roses, build a barrel to age your own whiskey, or create stained glass works of art. Your registration also includes wine and fancy pizza!

757 Makerspace – Norfolk, VAClocking in at 28,000 square feet, this self-described “dream factory” provides tools, equipment and space for designers, technologists, innovators, artists, and creatives to make and collaborate. Members can enjoy access to resources like their photography and video studio, a pottery studio, fabrication and woodworking tools, and more.

Maker13 – Jeffersonville, INLearn a new skill with workshops and certifications in areas like woodshop, metalshop, welding, embroidery, sewing, electronics, and more. They also offer a six-month guided business program called “Make Your Move” helping creative entrepreneurs develop everything from a business plan to production samples.

i3Detroit – Ferndale, MIMetro Detroit’s largest community-run DIY workshop with over 20 zones of tools spanning ceramics, glass, woodshop, welding, automotive, jewelry making, and electronics. Check out their newly expanded space for a peek at their spiffed up paint zone and new sewing room!

Make ATX – Austin, TXWomen-founded Make ATX specializes in laser cutting, offering both guided classes and custom cutting for hire. Their current slate of workshops include playful creations like laser engraved s’mores, mandalas, and tabletop games.

Dallas Makerspace – Dallas, TXBoasting 36,000 square feet of workshop and laboratory space, Dallas Makerspace offers tools in fiber arts, jewelry making and gem cutting, blacksmithing, automotive, plus scientific equipment like microscopes and musical gear like guitars, keyboards, and amps.

ADX – Portland, ORA self-described “hub for Portland creatives,” ADX has offered classes like screen printing, tufting, and scent design. Artists can also rent their own dedicated studio space to work on their own projects. Looking for inspo? Check out the work of other ADX members through regular art shows at their Gallery X space.

NextFab – Philadelphia, PAShutterbugs, take note! Nextfab offers a full photography studio to members featuring access to equipment like high end Nikon cameras, strobes, and backdrops, plus large format printers to create prints of all your beautiful photos.

Makers Social – Columbus, OHA self described “DIY project bar”, Makers Social is a place to gather with friends to create unique projects while enjoying tasty beverages. Make a reservation to enjoy a project off their menu of leatherwork projects like bag tags and phone holders, or sign up for one off classes like “Paint Your Pet’s Portrait.”

The Foundry – Buffalo, NYCrafters will love exploring their textile lab featuring Cricut Makers, sewing machines, and looms while STEM students will enjoy visiting the Tech Lab to learn 3D printing, laser engraving, circuitry, and electronics. One off workshops include wooden spoon carving, knitting for beginners, and handbuilt pottery.

Vancouver Hackspace – Vancouver, BCThis “community garage for people without garages” houses tools like bandsaws, metal lathes, silk screening equipment, a coal-fired forge, and their “franken-printer,” a 3D printer built by members from extra parts found in the hackerspace.

Protospace – Calgary, AB Protospace houses a community woodshop, metal shop, sewing room, an electronics lab, and more. They also offer workshops in topics like soap making, mead making, etching, DIY papermaking, and even Rubik’s Cube 101, a course dedicated to solving the infamous 3D puzzle.

Want more inventive inspo near you? Do a search for makerspaces on Yelp to get started.

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