Makerspaces do what they say on the tin: they are spaces to make things in. They are places where people can participate in building, creating and making activities, from ceramics to computer coding. They tend to be set up for and by hobbyists, entrepreneurs and inventors (children and adults), and provide tools and equipment such as 3D printers, lathes, laser cutters, sewing machines and, crucially, space.
They have a social as well as a societal purpose: from hacker spaces that attract coders to spaces that house more traditional crafts to those that are largely self-explanatory (and gendered), such as Men in Sheds, makerspaces can be turned to almost any pursuit.
While they originated as grassroots initiatives, they often find homes in institutional buildings, including libraries, community centres, schools and university campuses,…
