Concord Is Getting A Makerspace!

CONCORD, NH — Making Matters NH, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to open a makerspace, is excited to announce that they have secured a location for the makerspace. The new makerspace will be housed in the old Beede Electric Building at 88 Village Street in Penacook.

What is a makerspace? A makerspace is a collaborative environment that supports makers of all ages and skills to teach, learn, create, explore, and prosper.

Making Matters will offer affordable memberships, studio and work spaces for artists, offices, classrooms, and meeting spaces, and shared tools and equipment on-site for makers of all skill levels. Programming will include creative workshops and classes, training on woodshop equipment, entrepreneurial guidance, networking opportunities, and fun community-building events.

“This is a significant organizational milestone for Making Matters and we are thrilled to finally start bringing the makerspace to life,” said Board President Laura Miller. “There are many community benefits of a makerspace, like promoting S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), enhancing the creative economy, quality of life, workforce development, community building, and more. We’re excited to do our part to make the Concord region a more creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial place.”

For the past year, Making Matters has been hosting programming such as “Make and Take” craft events, entrepreneurship workshops, and networking opportunities like the monthly program, 1 Million Cups (https://www.makingmattersnh.org/1million-cups/), which takes place on the first Wednesday morning of each month at The Hotel Concord. Another program, Female Entrepreneurship Matters (FEM), is a workshop series that is funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Women's Foundation, a statewide foundation dedicated to promoting opportunity and equality for women and girls in New Hampshire through research, education, philanthropy and advocacy.

The elements of a makerspace are largely driven and created by the community it is in. Making Matters is inviting members of the community to stop by and lend their skills and time to help clean, paint, and update the new building between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Nov. 11. Making Matters is also seeking donations of funds and equipment. Please email info@makingmattersnh.org or visit https://www.makingmattersnh.org/ for more information.