Posted in In the News

Make Santa Fe launches three-month fellowship program mixing craft, art, engineering

Boldness. Audacity. And failure. Those are three of the words James Johnson, the executive director of Make Santa Fe, uses to describe what he hopes to see emerge from his organization’s new maker-in-residence program, which will offer three-month fellowships to builders, designers and creative technologists working on a specific project.

Making Skills Visible: How Make Santa Fe Supports Career Pathways

Recently, Make Santa Fe was featured on Job Hunt New Mexico to talk about a challenge we see every day: many people have the creativity, curiosity, and drive to build things but don’t always have access to the tools, training,... View Article

Creative Mornings @ Make Santa Fe

Last week, Make Santa Fe hosted Creative Mornings Santa Fe, and our executive director, James, shared a talk on why failure isn’t the problem—it’s the process. He explored the difference between “work mode” (producing) and “creative mode” (exploring), and offered five... View Article

Looking Back Just Three Years Ago

What are we doing today that will define Make Santa Fe over the next 3 years? Recently, during a trip down memory lane, I looked back at some old photos from when I started as Executive Director just three years ago. Back then, programs like 24-hour access, monthly badge classes, and standardized teacher pay didn’t exist. Our Ceramics, Blacksmithing, Leatherworking, and CNC shops didn’t exist. We didn’t even have access to the whole building! So much has changed in 3 years, it’s hard to imagine the impact it’s had on Santa Fe and the creatives that utilize Make.

A Generous Gift: Bringing the Fadal VMC 15XT to Life at Make Santa Fe

This summer, Make Santa Fe received an extraordinary gift from Will Putnam: a Fadal VMC 15XT vertical machining center. This industrial-grade CNC mill represents a huge leap forward for our community’s capacity to prototype, fabricate, and create with precision. Will’s donation is not just a machine—it’s an investment in empowering makers across Santa Fe.

‘Maker nerd paradise’: MAKE Santa Fe celebrates community at Saturday race

Original Article: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/maker-nerd-paradise-make-santa-fe-celebrates-community-at-saturday-race/article_8d327af3-3b50-4087-b803-6974ad88b0cc.html Written by: André Salkin asalkin@sfnewmexican.com Jul 5, 2025 The miniature shopping cart, toting a plastic baby and various fake food items, screeched to a halt about halfway down the racetrack. The drag-racing cart dubbed “The Grocery Grabber”... View Article

Make Santa Fe officials hope to ‘open minds’ with new track courses

Original Article: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/business/make-santa-fe-officials-hope-to-open-minds-with-new-track-courses/article_fc6f01fe-d52c-11ef-a4e7-7b174ec78bee.html By Mike Easterling measterling@sfnewmexican.com – Jan 20, 2025 A Santa Fe enterprise that for nearly 10 years has helped local creators perfect and utilize their skills in various hands-on pursuits has launched a series of classes in... View Article

An innovative space provides inspiration and education for creation

Original Article by Kylie Garcia: https://www.santafenewmexican.com/pasatiempo/an-innovative-space-provides-inspiration-and-education-for-creation/article_7343e4c4-66fc-11ef-b177-2b03ba6f519f.html Technology and art are two areas of life that are constantly evolving. This can be a hair-pulling challenge and a happy-dance-inducing benefit, all at once. This constant evolution, as well as the endless possibilities... View Article

Make Santa Fe has received a $5,000 sponsorship from the Santa Fe Office of Economic Development.

Santa Fe, NM December 6, 2024 – Make Santa Fe received a $5,000 sponsorship from the Office of Economic Development to support a new high-school student mentorship program. As part of the Make Santa Fe mentoring program, students will explore... View Article

Make Santa Fe has received a $5,000 grant for Meow Wolf Foundation!

James W. Johnson, executive director of Make Santa Fe, said the funds will support local creatives. Just like MeowWolf, Make Santa Fe stimulates artists and creative communities. Make Santa Fe uplifts local creatives by providing them access to high-end tools... View Article

James W. Johnson Joins MAKE Team as Executive Director

James brings a wealth of arts management, maker skills, and community connections to his new post. For the past 15 years, he’s worked for nonprofits and arts institutions in fundraising, marketing, and administrative management. James has long been an avid... View Article