An estimated 2,000 maker spaces existed in the United States in 2015, and the numbers just keep growing. Nashville will soon welcome two more to the fold, and all three listed here serve different segments of the maker community. While the movement itself is at its heart about the making, the maker culture serves the needs of a vast spectrum of goals, from simply learning to become crafty to taking a craft to the market.
Since 2011: For the craftsperson with an eye for business…
FORT HOUSTON
Location: 500 Houston St. Nashville, TN 37203
Facility Size + Equipment Offered: 10,000 sq. ft. A complete wood shop with air filtration and dust collection system. Darkroom. Screen-printing facility. 3-D Print Lab. Metal Shop. Miscellaneous work and desk space.
What Makes Them Different?: Their consulting and fabrication services on the business side of the maker movement. From guidance on operating agreements to demographic marketing, the Fort Houston team is ready to help your hobby to a business. They also offer fabrication services of any scope.
Opening Summer 2016: For the collegiate innovator interested in commercialization…
THE INNOVATION CENTER AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
Location
: On Vanderbilt’s campus, next to Olin Hall.
Planned Facility Size + Equipment Offerings:13,000 sq. ft., within the new 230,000 square foot Engineering and Science Building. Prototyping lab and maker space. Collaboration space. Innovators and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Global Mentoring Network. Education and venture creation programs.
What Makes Them Different?: Their plan to make the Innovation Center a primary point of contact for all students from all schools and colleges who are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. Its alumni and global network.
And sometime soon after: A space for fun…
MAKE NASHVILLE MAKERSPACE
Estimated Open Date + Location: Date TBD. Location TBD.
Planned Facility Size + Potential Equipment Offerings: 3-4,000 sq. ft. Traditional crafting equipment (woodworking, metalworking, welding). Manufacturing (3D Printing, CNC machines, laser cutting and etching). Electronics lab. Fabric play lab. Young maker area. Space for meetings, events, and performances.
What Makes Them Different?: It’s all about the community. “We believe that making is a radically inclusive activity so we want to make sure that everyone from all walks of life can come and participate.” – Matt Kenigson, president of Make Nashville
(To find out what’s in the plans for Make Nashville, check out this article.)
