In Progress
Making a makerspace
We are a new nonprofit working to create a makerspace in the Flathead Valley.
The Making Place first began as a project in October of 2023 with a public interest survey. Those survey results directed our efforts toward providing three initial services: workshops & classes, a tool library and a communal workspace.
After a successful season of satellite workshops, classes and events in 2024, we have refined our programming in 2025; shifting the priority from outreach to meeting our community's wants and needs.
Continuing to fulfill the initial services set forth in the results of our public survey, The Making Place is set to open a tool library April 1st 2025.
With the delivery of workshops & classes as well as a tool library, there is only one piece left in our effort to build a makerspace: a communal workspace. We are currently raising money to open our first physical location.
In the future we will have our own location. The initial services that we hope to provide are:
Workshops and Classes
A Large Communal Workspace
A Tool Library
For artists The Making Place could be a space to practice your craft, teach workshops and classes, share work with the community, or check out a tool.
For community members The Making Place could be a space to learn new skills, shop for local art, access resources, or attend events.
We want to make it easier for people to create. We want to provide a "third space" in our community where people can connect and hangout. We want The Making Place!
We exist to provide creative space and resources for our community to make, share & learn together. We want to empower a community driven art scene & enable the local making culture to flourish.
See our extended mission & vision write-up here.
Include
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Walk in and be welcome
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We welcome and take care of new people
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A community space that brings people together
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We prioritize accessibility
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We are open minded and always listen to new ideas
Support
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We serve people that want to make things
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We put the best interest of our artists and makers first
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We seek to grow and evolve our services with community feedback
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We create an inspiring and creative place
Share
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We work better together
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We collaborate and cooperate in building our space
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We respect and care for each other and the space
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We share the responsibility to build and maintain the space
Sustain
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We learn and share knowledge
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We are financially responsible
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We prioritize safety
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We limit the harm done to our natural environment
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We give back to our community
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Allie Maloney
Allie is assisting our administrative planning, building a membership model and organizing our strategic plan.
Amy Gwartney
Amy is our Operation's Lead, overseeing and organizing programming.
Brooke Myhre
Brooke is our Resource Coordinator, managing volunteers, supply inventory and community partnerships.
Ellen Mering
Ellen is our board's Vice President, leading our fundraising efforts and working on our administrative planning.
Justin Barry
Justin is our board's President, coordinating administration, leading meetings and networking.
Lena Olson
Lena is assisting our operations, taking the lead on youth programming.
Marijke Stob
Marjike is our board's Treasurer, helping with administrative planning and managing our budget.
Shannon Leahy
Shannon is our Marketing Lead, managing our marketing efforts and social media.
Sienna Broglie
Sienna is managing our website and building an online artist & maker resource.
Tricia Hinchey
Tricia is our board's Secratary, working on communications and administrative planning.
Who is behind the scenes?
We are a group of local artists, makers and professionals alike working to create a makerspace for our community. Our initial board is made of 10 working members. Check us out below and come say hey at one of our events!
Interested in getting involved?