Black Makers Residency

What will you make?

Applications for the 22-23 Cohort are currently on hold pending program redesign.

Need tools, supplies, mentors or just to spend time working in a creative space to realize your art, product, invention, or new business? Ace Makerspace has the resources to help people move forward with their maker ideas. Learn more about all of Ace’s core Tools + Areas + Programs.

Ace Makerspace’s Black Makers Residency elevates Black voices and ideas, supports their individual development, and distributes the benefits to the community at large. This residency seeks to normalize BIPOC people in traditionally white tech spaces.

Make things that help your community

Mask making for with the Oakland Community PPE program or use textiles tools to prototype and design new gear.

Turn your art into the business that supports you

Combine your art with technology

Access 100's of tools

Over 12 programs with tools and space to create in a wide range

Leather and lasers

These patches started as sketches and veg-tanned leather

Rapid prototyping

Use rapid prototyping tools and processes to ramp up your process

 
laser cut wood surface tablet case front
 
Red leather bracelet with etched Oakland skyline
 
 
 

Rapid prototyping

Use rapid prototyping tools and processes to ramp up your process

Maker in Residence receive:

  • Ace Makerspace Membership – 1 year
  • Certification Class Scholarships
  • Materials stipend ($500)
  • Access-based resources such as transportation, childcare and tech – ride-share Grants, Metro service, Chromebook, etc. (Would-be recipients’ to keep)
  • Peer support and maker mentorship

Outcomes:

  • Use the space and resources to execute your concept
  • Have a planned positive community impact. This could be a mutual aid project, public installation of your work, or teaching in the makers’ home community. Support and mentorship provided.

Apply

Applications will reopen September 2022

Download Flyer

Application Process:

Participants will be announced in early November 2022!

This residency is open to Black makers residing in the Bay Area* including:

  • Established Makers / Artists / Craftspeople – including established small biz folks
  • Youth Artists and Makers (18+)
  • Emerging Artists and Makers

We have an open and creative application process for the 2022-2023 Black Makers Residency. Your application can take many forms and should express:

  • What you will make during your one-year residency and how you will use Ace Makerspace to execute your concept
  • What type of community engagement do you envision, or what support do you need to connect with a community engagement project
  • Any additional funding or resources you may need outside the residency

Applications can be traditional or non-traditional including:

  • An essay of intention (with sketches if applicable) with links to your portfolio
  • An appointment with an Ace panel to do a live presentation of your concept
  • A video submission
  • Or any combination of the three above

If you would find coaching helpful for preparing your application we can provide Zoom office hours with an Ace Maker.

*Relocation funds are not available at this time.

Who is a Black maker?

We are not here to vet people’s ethnic or racial identities. We expect applicants to be Black people and makers or future makers while appreciating that identity is intersectional. Folks should be able to express what that identity means to them, how it informs their work and their connection to their communities. 

Whatever form that takes in the application process is good for us.

If you are not a Black person don’t apply for this residency. Please see the other options for membership.