Fresno Ideaworks

TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND ARTISTIC SKILLS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS, SOCIAL COLLABORATION, AND EDUCATION. TEACH SKILLS AND PROVIDE EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT LEARNING IN A COMMUNITY MAKERSPACE.

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 110 PAYING MEMBERS AT ANY TIME, MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE ARE VETERANS, SENIORS, AND FULL-TIME STUDENTS THAT RECEIVE A SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT (OVER $9200 IN DISCOUNTS GIVEN). THE MAKERSPACE IS RUN SOLELY BY VOLUNTEERS WITH OVER 3000 HOURS DURING THE YEAR, VALUED AT MORE THAN $90,000 DONATED TIME. IN-KIND GIFTS OF EQUIPMENT WERE GIVEN VALUED AT $18500.

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 HOBBY OR CAREER IN CERAMICS, WELDING, WOODWORKING, CNC ROUTER, PROGRAMMING, LASER ENGRAVING/CUTTING, AND SEWING. 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 $1500.

OUTREACH - IDEAWORKS' OUTREACH EVENTS IN FRESNO INTRODUCE THE PUBLIC TO THE MAKER MOVEMENT WHERE THEY CAN CREATE AND REPAIR ITEMS AND LEARN NEW SKILLS. IDEAWORKS ALSO HAD A BOOTH WITH DEMONSTRATIONS AND INFORMATION ON WOODWORKING, LASER CUTTING, AND CERAMICS AT FRESNO CITY COLLEGE DURING THEIR HOLIDAY CRAFTS FAIRE. SEVERAL HUNDRED WERE IN ATTENDANCE. DUE TO COVID, OUTREACH WAS STILL LIMITED. 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 ELECTICAL BASED SKILLS. IDEAWORKS IS ALSO A "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. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW MANY PEOPLE BENEFITED FROM THESE SERVICES.