GateWay Community College oftentimes is seen as an innovative college within the Maricopa Community College system. So when the idea of repurposing idle space owned by the community college district hit Christine Mackay, director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Phoenix, GateWay stepped up to the plate.
“While our city is home to several co-working spaces for those who can get by with just a computer and a desk, those who want to craft a physical product need a very different kind of shared office,” says Mackay. “They need the kind with tools and machines and expert staff who can help build or create an item.”
GateWay is partnering with the City of Phoenix to provide students, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists that space. It’s referred to as Makerspace and will be located in the Stauffer Building, a former storage warehouse for the Maricopa district, located on Van Buren Street.
“We have been talking about creating a cross-disciplinary learning lab for students and faculty for a while,” says Kristin Gubser, director of External Affairs for GateWay. “The space would encourage different disciplines in the science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with art -- moving from STEM to STEaM -- to come together in one space to create and make art or functional objects. It will further marry the theory and practical together for our students.”
In an area of the city that is undergoing a renaissance, the 22,550 square foot Makerspace will offer a collection of equipment to help spur creations in whatever medium is needed, including welding, rapid prototyping, ceramics, sculpture, glass blowing, 3D printing, woodworking and more.
“It will become a hub for the community of inventors, hobbyists, entrepreneurs and others in the area,” says Gubser.
This space is expected to not only benefit the community, but provide an opportunity for faculty to diversify their curriculum to make it even more applicable to industry where students have the ability to apply and practice competencies on various modalities.
“The modern makerspace movement brings together various disciplines, creative directions and talent under one roof, pushing each other intellectually and aesthetically with startling results,” says Susan Mills, chair of the Humanities Division and art faculty at GateWay. “As an instructor and an artist, I’m looking forward to the possibilities.”
The renovations required depend on the equipment necessary to include in the space. Estimates are between $3 to $6 million to bring the space up to standards. According to Gubser, commitments of funding will come from multiple sources, including federal, state, city funding, grants and corporate partners/sponsors.
“The project is in its early stages and with a commitment from the city, partners like ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and APS, we are well under way to making it a reality,” she says.
“Details are still being worked out from occupants to memberships, and once we know who will be using the space, the design process may begin,” says Gubser.
A target date for opening is Fall 2017.