Fresno Ideaworks

Makerspace workshop - provide members with shop areas full of tools for wood, metal, welding, glass, ceramics, electronics, textiles, and robotics. The workshop provides access to tools and space for the practice of industrial and fine arts for our Educational programs, membership, and community members. Membership numbers fluctuate; on average 125 paying members at any time, more than half of those are veterans, seniors, and full-time students that receive a substantial discount (over $15,000 in discounts given). The makerspace is run solely by volunteers with over 4060 hours during the year, valued at more than $100,000 donated time. The makerspace is also a resource for construction of custom projects not readily available from other businesses in the area.

Outreach - Ideaworks' Outreach events in Fresno introduce the public to the maker movement where they can create and repair items and learn new skills. Several members volunteered at Storyland for a Winter Carnival with giant connect four and kerplunk inspired games and a display of shop-made puzzles and projects. Several hundred families were in attendance. Relevant instructional and educational videos were posted on YouTube. Free focus group meetings are recorded under Education but provide outreach to give the public access to the mission of learning new skills, etc. Tech Tuesday is a free weekly drop-in group that brings members and the public together to discuss and troubleshoot projects in electronics, robotics, microcomputers, and other electrical based skills. Ideaworks is also an "Official Fresno ArtHop Venue" where the first Thursday galleries and businesses around downtown Fresno open their doors to artists and the public for art viewing, sales, demonstrations, and socializing. We host "ArtHop in the Alley" which has brought many more visitors as well as artists. It is unknown how many people benefited from these services but at least 1000.

Education: Public classes were offered with concentrated hands-on instruction that provided the student with skills and confidence to continue on to more advanced work for a hobby or career in ceramics, welding, woodworking, cnc router, programming, laser engraving/cutting, and sewing. We hosted a local High School district Summer Wood Camp for three weeks. High school students were provided a week of instruction and went home with 3-4 hand-made items they were proud of, as well as allowing the support staff an opportunity to make their own projects. About 42 students/staff were directly impacted, as well as the families that came before and after the sessions. Free drop-in focus nights (open to the public) were also offered both online and in person for Metal Mondays (welding) and Tech Tuesdays (discussions on electronics, robotics, programming, microprocessors, and LED lighting projects). Several volunteer members taught classes and led the drop-in events, time valued at more than $7500. There were 272 public and members that took classes.