Making Space was set up as a charity in 2005, our bespoke building opened two years later in 2007. With 2 inspiring learning spaces and 7 on-site studios Making Space was designed to be an inspiring creative hub for makers near and far, old and new, established and emerging! 23 people have had their professional studios at Making Space and we’re currently associated with over 170 makers.

Since the building opened we have worked with over 31,000 people in various outreach projects, events and coming through our doors to work with us. As a small charity, with the equivalent of just 2 full-time members of staff, this is something we’re incredibly proud of and feel deserves to be shared.

As a community-based craft organisation, we have created hundreds of opportunities for people to discover and develop their design and making skills. We’ve played a part in increasing personal wellbeing through involvement in high-quality craft via countless projects, workshops and events. We’ve seen creative businesses evolve from newly launched to fully established, we’ve seen children coming to summer school grow into young designers, young designers joining us for work experience, volunteer roles grow into paid assistants, assistants going on to lead their own workshops.

We have always promoted excellence in contemporary craft, design and visual arts. We’re the lead craft organisation in Hampshire and the only visual arts organisation currently funded by Hampshire County Council. We initiate opportunities for new networks and partnership working to raise the profile of craft. This includes working with local arts organisations and contributing to regional and national developments around craft and community engagement.

If you haven’t already guessed it we are passionate about what we do and raising the profile of craft. We know that #CraftMatters and we know that you do too, so we are launching a new campaign to spread the message that #CraftMatters. As a charity we rely on a lot of fundraising and we are always thinking of innovative new ways to make a case for what we do… and we want your help!

We’d love to hear from you…

We want to know what difference Making Space has made to you / your business / your creativity / your work?

We will be encouraging you all to join our campaign and tell us why #CraftMatters

We’ve come up with some questions and we want to hear what you’ve got to say!

• Why do you feel #CraftMatters to you?  
• Why does Making Space matter?  
• #CraftMatters because…
• If you think #CraftMatters … tell us why?
• What difference does Making Space make?
• #CraftMatters to me…
• What are your #CraftMatters ?

If you want to get involved and join in the conversation use the hashtag #CraftMatters and share your views… On Instagram, on Twitter, on Facebook.

Leave a comment on this blog post or pop into Making Space, grab a post-it note and add to our #CraftMatters display.

Join us in celebrating our individual creativity and why #CraftMatters to us all!