Vision

[vic320]

Hi all,

   I've been very busy lately but I have been following the conversation and it's been very interesting.  Here are some thoughts for all to ponder:

1) I think that the most important thing we need to do soon is define the vision of what we kind of organization we want to create. We need to be very clear about what we are trying to create, what our long term goals are and what benefits we would bring to the community - I think it's important to be a bit audacious when defining a vision as well. I think this is extremely important if we start going around asking for money. 

2) Related to this is the idea of a network of maker spaces. I think that a network would be a great idea especially when going to look for funding - it shouldn't be limited to just Buffalo, but include all of WNY.  It makes it very easy for someone with deep pockets to write one big check for many maker spaces instead of many small ones - and it has more PR value for the donor as well. The benefits also extend to the members and spaces.  We could coordinate equipment purchases so that each space has the right capabilities without excessive duplication. I also feel that there would be a lot of value in allowing all members of participating spaces to have access to all other spaces so member have access to specific capabilities that they need but their local space does not have.

3) A good name is important but is something that should not be rushed. It's very hard to come up with a unique, original and good name these days since it seems every possible name has been taken. 

4) I think The Foundry is not the right place for a maker space. It's great for artist studios and some small businesses but I think that it's just not well suited for a maker space.  Its often too noisy and dirty. The idea of a maker space is to give people a cool place to hang out, exchange ideas and collaborate on projects and I don't think The Foundry is really set up for that. Perhaps that can change but I'm not sure how. 

  -Victor

[Kevin @ Hayes Creative]

Good thoughts, Victor.

Funders dearly love collaboration, and the economies of scale is a very real advantage to a network.

I think The Foundry will have some aspects of MakerSpace but will remain primarily an incubator. Perhaps some MiniMakerSpaces within it, such as a weaving center, for example. Having a network will mean, among other things, lots of flexibility for changing and growing.

I agree with "audacious". We should be aiming for BEST IN THE WORLD! We could be the first true Maker City.

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[Scott Vader]

Hi Vic

Thanks for the thoughtful post and welcome to our little discussion group! For those who don't know, Vic completed a very successful KickStarter campaign last week raising over $150,000 for his Creation Station low cost cnc router.  

Agreed the Foundry is not ideal. It's worth noting that Megan, Kevin, Sarah and the rest of the Foundry team are working hard on creating an open woodshop and an open metalshop to add to the capabilities of Buffalo Lab. Megan figures that the Foundry will have about 8,000 ft^2 of Maker Resources.  She also considers it's much easier to get to 20,000 ft^2 of worldclass makerspace from 8,000 ft^2 than directly to 20,000 ft^2. The Foundry should be part of the network if not the hub.        

It does make sense to leave finalizing the name until the vision is clear. I think we're at a free-form iterative stage so let's keep brainstorming a list of names along side getting clearer about the problems to be solved, opportunities, reason for being, strategy, goals and vision.

WNY may be too large a zone. I don't think people will travel an hour or more to take workshops or build their projects. Maybe call it Greater Buffalo, ie the City plus Erie County.

Might make sense to start with a statement of the problems and the opportunities in the community as a foundation. I'll kick that off as a separate topic.

Scott