© DR
Makery has been an independent media since 2014. Our vocation is to report on the dynamics of the circular economy, creative communities and local lab scenes: fablabs, makerspaces, hackerspaces, alternative spaces, creative hubs, medialabs, biohacklabs, artlabs.
MAKERY MOBILIZES WITH MAKERS AGAINST COVID-19
Makery has been in high demand since the start of the lockdown to relay information on the initiatives of makers and biohackers against Covid-19 and help coordinate communication on actions and shareable solutions (visors, masks, syringe pumps, respirators, rapid tests, etc.). We are striving to meet these demands, just as our response reinforces the very mission of our media. But Makery has been weakened in recent weeks: we need your support to meet this challenge.
MAKERY, MEDIA FOR ALL LABS SINCE 2014
Makery publishes regular articles, reports, features and interviews, in French and in English, that capture and relay the activities of these communities. Makery also curates a biweekly newsletter and a world map of creative labs.
All freely accessible online – no paywall, no advertising.
Makery is a participatory work-in-progress, for and by these creative lab communities. Makery
attempts to redefine and extend the spectrum of what constitutes “maker culture”.
Makery’s business model includes offering professional training for the digital age, national and international cooperation and partnerships.
But all this is not enough. Now the future of Makery depends on the engagement of its readers.
Your donation will help:
MAKERY: OUR MODEL, OUR PROJECTS, OUR DIFFICULTIES
As a faithful reader of Makery, you may recall that following our extensive coverage of FAB14 in France in July 2018, Makery significantly downsized. From September 2018 through these last few months, Makery has entered a new phase in its history, building and consolidating its membership in training and research networks around France, as well as partnerships across Europe. It’s also an opportunity to redefine our editorial line and publishing cycle. We have decided to pursue our overview of maker culture as the bilingual media for labs, but with a sharper focus on the circular economy and Fab City dynamics, intersections between arts, sciences and technologies, travel and exploring creative eco-socio-conscious communities around the world.
SO WHAT ARE OUR CURRENT PROJECTS ?
WE WILL INTEGRATE FAB CITY HUB IN PARIS
Makery and its medialab are current members of the Fab City Grand Paris research platform, planning community activities and communication strategies, producing studies and independent journalism for the platform and the media. This autumn we will move into the new Fab City Hub location on Rue de Mouzaïa in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. Fab City Hub is a space dedicated to promoting the circular economy and productive city, initiated by Volumes in collaboration with Oasis21 with support from Fab City Grand Paris and the Fab City Foundation. The Fab City Hub project is also supported by the European Union through the Centrinno program. The Makery medialab will be able to pursue its work in media, community and production in this new space. We’re excited!
WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR NETWORK OF SUMMER CAMPS
Makery and its medialab are also active members of the Feral Labs Network of summer camps. In June (or later in the season, depending on the situation of the current health crisis) we will host a European Feral Labs Retreat on Batz Island in Brittany. The objective of our gathering is to extend the network and think about collaborative methods for documentation and editorial. Of course, it will also include practical outings and activities such as DIY marine bio, solar energy, sound hacking and more hands-on making.
WE ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A EUROPEAN STUDY ON MAKERS’ MOBILITY
Within the MakersXchange (MAX) program, we have begun our collaboration with the European Creative Hubs Network, Fablab Barcelona and UPTEC Porto to carry out a large pilot study on the mobility of makers for the European Union in 2020-2021 that could serve as a prototype for future exchange and mobility programs. This program will introduce us to numerous makers and existing mobility programs within the European Union. While the current health crisis challenges the very notion of mobility, MAX is also an opportunity to imagine a different, more reasonable mobility of the future. Moreover, MAX is the perfect opportunity for us to expand Makery’s visibility and readership, to conduct more research and in-depth interviews with community leaders.
WE WANT TO ORGANIZE ANOTHER OPEN SOURCE BODY FESTIVAL
In 2018, the Makery medialab organized its first Open Source Body festival, bringing together health professionals, scientists, technologists, artists, designers, open source and DIY activists to discuss frugal technology that could improve access to health care. The goal was for this event to become biennial. In this period dominated by the viral spread of Covid-19, open initiatives to mitigate the pandemic are proliferating. Now more than ever, we would like to provide a platform for these voices and organize a second edition of OpenSourceBody at the end of the year.
OUR PROJECTS ARE JEOPARDIZED BY CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES
Lockdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic has hindered our journalistic activity this spring. Our journalists are confined to their homes, and those without official media badges are prevented from moving about professionally; many events have been cancelled and with them potential media partnerships; our editorial schedule is uncertain for May, June and July, and our independent journalists are already having difficulties making ends meet. More financial flexibility would enable us to support our team through this difficult period. While government aid is welcome, it is far from sufficient.
SO WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!
For all this, we estimate our financial needs to be about 30,000 euros (minimum).
Thank you for any contribution you can offer!
Have a question? Contact us: contact@makery.info