This whitepaper explores how established makerspaces, with a year of experience, can tap into the interdisciplinary nature of their communities to create valuable solutions for external partners.

By leveraging the diverse perspectives and unique problem-solving capabilities of their creative communities, makerspaces can become financially self-sufficient. The paper discusses the importance of differentiating the value offered, working with internal stakeholders, and building mechanisms for partnering with external entities. It also highlights practical examples of successful initiatives, demonstrating how these partnerships can fuel innovation, inject cash flow, and perpetuate the growth of makerspaces.

Introduction:

After a year of operation, makerspaces develop a distinctive creative culture fueled by the interdisciplinary nature of their communities. This culture provides a unique advantage, allowing makers to approach problem-solving from various angles and identify innovative solutions. By harnessing this superpower, makerspaces can create substantial value for external partners and establish a sustainable financial foundation.

The Interdisciplinary Superpower:

1. Seeing Solutions from Many Vantage Points: Makerspaces thrive on diverse perspectives, enabling them to identify novel solutions and value in the intersections of different disciplines.

2. Creating Value for External Partners: External institutions seek out the problem-solving capabilities of makerspaces, offering opportunities for collaboration and revenue generation.

Identifying Your Unique Value:

1. Understanding Your Makerspace Culture: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define the unique aspects of your makerspace's culture and problem-solving approach.

2. Differentiating Your Value Proposition: Develop a strategy to differentiate your makerspace by providing external partners with the unique value they cannot find elsewhere.

Mechanics for Partnering:

1. Building Experiential Work: Form "skunkworks" teams to tackle independent design and fabrication projects, run sprints and long-term initiatives, or create platforms for STEAM education in local classrooms and libraries.

2. Establishing Partnerships: Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as businesses, educational institutions, or community organizations, to identify specific projects or challenges that your makerspace can address.

Benefits and Outcomes:

1. Injecting Energy and Cash Flow: External partnerships bring new energy and financial resources into your makerspace, enhancing its creative capacity.

2. Sustainable Revenue: These partnerships create a revenue stream that can help sustain the operation of your makerspace, ensuring its long-term viability.

Conclusion:

Established makerspaces possess a unique advantage in their interdisciplinary community. By leveraging this advantage and partnering with external institutions, makerspaces can create value, generate revenue, and propel their creative communities to new heights. Collaborative innovation not only perpetuates the growth of makerspaces but also positions them as valuable resources for solving complex challenges in the broader community.

The key is to identify what sets your makerspace apart, build mechanisms for partnership, and cultivate a culture of innovation and problem-solving that benefits both your internal community and external partners.

Through these initiatives, makerspaces can become financially self-sufficient while continuously nurturing their creative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Artwork: Charlotte Moth; Kaleidoscopic thinking