Make That Idea a Reality at a Midwest Makerspace

Makerspaces are just what they sound like—a space for makers—but they’re also virtually unbound places of creativity and togetherness.  

Take Lansing Makers Network in Michigan’s capital city. It’s a 14,000 square foot building with a woodshop, metal shop, jewelry bench, and a place to blacksmith and forge. It boasts a computer-ridden office space, a crafting and sewing room—shall we go on?—an area for 3D printing and laser cutting, an electronics bench, and a space for welding (to name more than a few). 

But it wasn’t always this grandiose (did we mention their digital wood carver?) 

“We started off in a 100-year-old church building with practically no heat, no insulation. Somehow we got off the ground and we got members to join,” says founding member Carl Raymond, who also manages the electronics area and serves on the network’s board of directors. 

Photo Credit: Lansing Makers Network

That was nearly 12 years ago, but the model remains scrappy: The current space is totally volunteer-run, Raymond included, and is funded by grants and membership fees. Volunteers staff the front desk, every area has a manager, and point people are responsible for trainings. 

Lansing Makers Network really is open to everyone. Members can pay $50 per month for entry at specified weekly hours; or for $150 per month, folks can get 24/7 access with their ID cards. But people can also check out 30-day passes at the local library at no cost. 

“We’re a nonprofit, both in spirit and according to the rules,” Raymond says. “We’re not doing this to make money. It can be a lot of work . . . but it’s a lot of fun. I enjoy helping people to learn something new; I enjoy learning something new from someone else.” 

That creative fellowship draws artists, makers, and everyday curious people to these makerspaces. They can try things out, fix something broken, or create something new. It’s not just about having the space and tools, but about having the support, accountability, and/or inspiration. 

Photo Credit: Lansing Makers Network

“It’s not just a building full of tools—it’s a building full of people . . . Everybody here knows how to do something. There’s an awful lot of cross-pollination that goes on,” when exchanging ideas and knowledge, Raymond says. 

He offers advice for inspired people looking to start their own makerspace: Simply know that you can.  

“This is something you can do in your town. It takes a little luck,” Raymond says, like finding the right landlord to start, but he’s “sure in any other Midwestern city, there’s a bunch of people who would love to do something like this.” 
 
Find them, he says: Start small and put in the work to make it happen. You’ll be glad you did. 

Makerspaces are increasingly found in local libraries, colleges, and universities. Here’s a running list of other makerspaces across the Midwest we love! Are we missing any? Tag us on Instagram @arts_midwest or email [email protected].