Bet t er Pr ac t i c es

i n Vi s ual Ar t s
Crafting can happen in a maker space.

Chapt er 35

Access to technology and equipment

that can be very expensive.

access to sewing machines and

guidance on how to use things they
are unfamiliar with.

The Importance of
MAKER SPACES

WHAT IS IT?!?
DEFINING THE MAKER SPACE
The maker space is a place
where people or students can
come to share resources and or
collaborate on various projects.
This space can house anything
from art supplies, to sewing
machines, to robotics materials.
This space can be located in
places like libraries , schools or
any public place that people
have access to.
Maker spaces allow people the
opportunity to use resources or
equipment that they might not
otherwise be able to. It gives
people or students a place to go
to create with out limitation. It
can incorporate digital
technology as well as

traditional forms of art

supplies. They often house
computers with expensive
software, and 3D printers, such
things you might not have
access to at home.
They are an informal studio
space where you can come and
go as you please and don't have
to set appointments or join a
class. They are a community
area where you can come to
work as needed and gain
knowledge and help from peers
and those around you. They
provide a fun environment for
students to experiment and
create in a safe space.

How does it work?

A GUIDE TO CREATING THE PERFECT MAKER SPACE IN YOUR
SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY.
There is no set right or wrong for what should be in a maker space. It is simply a
collection of hardware and software that students can us to explore their creativity
and hone their skills. There are many ways that a maker space can get the tools and
equipment they need to start. Used equipment and donations is one of the best ways.
Another way is through grants and government assistance.

GETTING THE
MOST FROM THE
RESOURCES WE
HAVE

Challenge:
Create a Maker
Space in your
School

THERE IS NOT A SET OF RULES THAT SAYS WHAT A MAKER SPACE HAS TO
BE OR LOOK LIKE.
A maker space can take many
different forms and identities.
It doesn't have to be in a
traditional classroom setting
and it doesn't have to consist
of a certain style of elements.
It can be any space where
people or students can come
together and create. A maker
space could take form in a
garden setting where students
have the ability to plant and

harvest different flowers

tools and equipment.
vegetables or fruits. It could
No two spaces need to be the
be a computer lab
same. Eachone can
that has the
A place for minds to take on a mind of
software to make
their own and play
run wild, and
minds run wild. It
into the needs of
imaginations to
could be a kitchen
that school or
flourish.
area to make
community. The
creative culinary
important part is that there is a
creations. It could be as
place where people and
simple as extra space behind a
students can go in order to
stage where you can set
create freely.
creativity free with various

SAFETY AND
PROCEDURES
Aft er you get your space
t oget her you have t o make
a plan on how you are
going t o regulat e mat erials
and promot e safet y in t he
space.
1. M ake a plan- W ho is
going t o be in t he space t o
support and help t he
st udent s as t hey come in t o
work?
2. Post t he rules and
guidelines- M ake sure t hat
t he rules of t he maker
space are clearly visible for
everyone using t he space.
M ake sure t hat every
st udent coming int o t he

space underst and t heir role

in keeping t he mat erials
organized and in good
condit ion for fut ure use.
3. Set safet y proceduresM ake sure you have a set of
safet y procedures for each
piece of equipment t hat
needs it . Set up workshops
t o show st udent s how t o use
t he mat erial, and quiz t hem
on t heir knowledge so you
bot h feel comfort able wit h
t hem using t he mat erials.
By let t ing everyone in t he
space know what is
expect ed of t hem you can
keep t he space up and

You probably already have a studio

time after school where students can
come in a n work on their projects. I
challenge you to take that a step
further by creating a space that is
open to students before during and
after school. A space where they
have access to materials and
equipment, and they can come to
any time during a set schedule (ex
7am-5pm). Get funky with it and
provide computer access with
design software like Photoshop and
Indesign. Provide equipment, and
tools they wouldn't have access to
outside of the room. Be available for
support! Be in the background as a
support, and help students as they
need it.

running and organized for

everyone t hat comes in.
I t s also import ant t o est ablish
which mat erials are for
everyone t o use and which
consumable mat erials might be
for specific uses. Creat ing a
red light green light labeling
syst em can help st udent s t o
clearly ident ify t he cabinet s

t hat are open t o use and t hose

t hat need permission before
get t ing int o.
Having rules in place will help
t he space t o run smoot hly and
will help keep t he mat erials
and equipment in t op shape for
cont inued use.

WORKSHOPS/ PROJECTS
SCHEDULE WORKSHOPS FOR INDIVIDUAL OR
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
A great way to help students to
learn more about different
equipment or to help the
broaden their area of
knowledge you could hold
workshops in your space.
Whether you hold them for free
or have a small fee to pay for
materials this is a great way to
introduce them to new
materials and a new way of

looking at things.
Workshops can help inspire
students as well as give them
an opportunity to work along
side others that are interested in
the same things. It provides
them an opportunity to not only
projects that are a collaborative effort with several
learn from the instructor but to
students to go into a public space. This is a great
learn from their peers.
opportunity for them to learn to work together, and
You could also head community

learn about making something for the community.

Conclusion
This kind of space is so vital for our
communities. Especially those
communities that are lacking resources
and funding for students. The maker
space is so much more than just a pace
to go to make. It provides a safe,
constructive environment for them as
well as the opportunity for them to use
and create with things they wouldn't

otherwise have the availability to. It

provides a pace for these students to
explore their interests and learn about
things outside of the classroom. It is
an important resource every school or
community should and can provide
for people. With no set right or wrong
way to create the maker space the
possibilities are endless and the

limitations are washed away. This

type of space is something that we
as teachers need to push for in
every school to help our students
grow and nourish their creativity.

REFERENCES
7 thing you should know about... (2013, April). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from https://www.educause.edu/
Makerspace Playbook. (2013). Retrieved March 28, 2016, from
http://makered.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Makerspace-Playbook-Feb-2013.pdf