Makerspace planned for Dauphin aims to make entrepreneurship more accessible
The Creative Common: Dauphin's Makerspace aims to open in its physical location this spring
Instead of monthly memberships for treadmills and stair climbers, a new southwestern Manitoba community workshop plans to offer creative workouts with 3D printers and woodworking.
The Creative Common: Dauphin's Makerspace will work almost like a gym, as people pay a monthly membership and can use the space for artistic projects, says Martijn van Luijn, Dauphin's economic development manager and one of the starting members of the group.
"If they walk around with an idea, but not having to spend a lot of money investing in that idea, just come and ... talk to others about it and then try to develop something," van Luijn said. "It's also a really great place to have fun."
When it opens, the Makerspace will be a place where creative people can meet up, tinker with new technologies, and learn as they go working on hands-on projects.
The Creative Common has been in the works for about two years, says board chair Joe Houston. It recently received a boost of $80,000 in funding to open a space this spring in the heart of downtown Dauphin.
The first phase will open on the main floor of a building on Second Avenue N.W. in Dauphin with plans to create an additional space in the basement sometime in the future.
Houston wants it to be a place where crafters can work on projects while feeling like they're a part of a larger creative community.
"It's a launchpad for innovation, entrepreneurship and a place where you can gather and share ideas," Houston said. "You're going to be making, tinkering and learning together, which is often the gap for people starting in these hobbies or … entrepreneurial steps."
The Creative Common's final layout is still in discussions, with the first phase set to include small electronics, 3D printing, woodworking and other technologies people typically don't have access to, Houston said. The second phase will introduce a sewing lab, recording studio and other tools based on community requests.
With their membership, creatives and artists will be able to use these tools for projects at almost any hour of the day.
Building skills and community
Jo Huddle's business 5'1" Perspective started from a love of working on creative projects. Huddle says she began fiddling around with wood and that spiralled into launching 5'1" Perspectives.
She relies heavily on her machines for her work, because if they break it slows her business and can be expensive to repair or fix.
When the Makerspace opens she'll have a backup if anything goes wrong.
"I can go and continue my business without disruption until I get my machines figured out," Huddle said.
Van Luijn says they want the Creative Common to be as accessible as possible for entrepreneurs like Huddle.
The Creative Common is looking to partner with the local library to rent out Makerspace memberships to ensure those who can't afford a monthly membership can still use the tools, he said. They also want to offer student discounts and are partnering with Community Futures to give entrepreneurs access to the building.
Opening soon
Van Luijn says they're aiming to have phase one of the project finished and the doors open by the spring. There are some mechanical and electrical renovations needed, along with creating a bathroom.
The project is expected to cost around $100,000 and the group is still about $5,000 short of their current fundraising goal. He says fundraising will be continuous so they can move into phase two and replace equipment as needed or add something new.
Huddle hopes the Creative Common gives joy to those making new projects or discovering a fresh hobby or skill. With the open-concept floor plan, people will be able to see others trying their hands at sewing, woodworking, 3D printing and other projects.
She's especially looking forward to a space where she can work with others. Huddle works alone from home most of the time, so some company will be appreciated.
"You might just see other interests and things that you aren't exposed to when you're at home. So I think it'll be really cool and people will just be able to branch out," Huddle said. "That'll be a game-changer and other people's creativity will spur other ideas ... We're going to have a whole lot of makers and unique items for people."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
