High School Maker Scholarships
The High School Maker Scholarship gives Santa Fe students the opportunity to learn, build, and thrive through hands-on experience in our fully equipped makerspace.
Each scholarship provides one year of membership, access to studios and equipment, and includes free badge classes—so students can safely and confidently use tools ranging from 3D printers to welding equipment.
This program helps students explore their interests in art, design, engineering, and fabrication while connecting them to a supportive community of makers and mentors.
Who Can Apply
High school students ages 12–18 in Santa Fe who are eager to learn, build, and create.- Students ages 12–16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during their time in the shop.
- Students 16 and older may work independently after completing required safety training.
- For safety reasons, no one under 16 may use tools with spinning saw blades, such as table saws, band saws, or miter saws.
- Applicants should be able to visit the makerspace at least once per month and maintain good communication with mentors and staff.
What Scholarship Recipients Receive
- 1-year Make Santa Fe membership
- Free badge and safety classes in any studio except woodshop and metalshop (darn those spining saw blades!) Blacksmithing, ceramics, laser cutting, 3d printing, CNC routers, electronics, sewing, leather working, and more are all OK!
- Mentorship from experienced makers and instructors.
- Access to tools and equipment appropriate for their age and skill level.
- Opportunities to participate in Make Santa Fe events and community projects.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed as they come in, students can start anytime! To apply, students should complete the short online application form (link below) Be sure to include one letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or community member.Support the Scholarship Fund
Your donation helps Make Santa Fe open doors for the next generation of creators. Every $1,000 funds a one-year membership and badge classes for a local high school student.
Make a one-time donation to support a student.
A $1,000 donation supports one student for a full year.Make a $50/month recurring donation to support a student.
Just $50 dollars a month enables one student to gain access to Make Santa Fe.All donations are tax-deductible. 100% of funds go directly toward student memberships, training, and mentorship support.
Why It Matters
Santa Fe’s legacy of artistic and scientific excellence should be passed forward to the next generation of Makers. At Make Santa Fe, we’re ensuring that the city’s next generation of innovators, designers, and problem-solvers have early and equitable access to the same tools, mindset, and creative culture that have long defined The City Different. By introducing our youth to fabrication, design, and digital tools in a hands-on, supportive environment, we’re positioning our youth to join and shape Santa Fe’s future creative class.
This initiative extends Make Santa Fe’s role as a catalyst for collaborative creativity to the young people of our community. Many young people in Santa Fe have few opportunities to explore careers in STEAM, fabrication, or the industrial arts. At Make, we’re working to bridge that gap by giving them access to cutting-edge tools, peer mentorship, and a pathway into real economic opportunity. It mirrors Make Santa Fe’s incubator model, inviting students not only to learn but to eventually lead, teach, and even launch businesses.
“I learned and improved several skills while at Make such as blacksmithing, electronics, woodworking and ceramics! I think it’s a great system, really educational, fun, and engaging. Not to mention there’s some really cool people there to learn from!”
— 10th Grade Scholarship Recipient
Questions?
Contact build@makesantafe.org or call (505) 819-3502 for details on applying, donating, or becoming a mentor.