Build Boldly. Share the Process.
Santa Fe has artist residencies.
Our residency is for for makers.
The Maker in Residence program at Make Santa Fe exists to support people who build ambitious things, the kind of projects that require space, tools, experimentation, and the freedom to try something that might not work the first time.
This program provides emerging makers with access to our fabrication studios, community, and technical resources so they can attempt projects that push their abilities and inspire others.
At Make Santa Fe, we believe innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe.
It comes from trying something bold, documenting the process, and sharing what you learn.
The Maker in Residence program celebrates experimentation, iteration, and failure as part of the creative process.
Program Overview
The Maker in Residence program is a three-month fellowship for ambitious builders, designers, engineers, and creators who want to pursue ambitious projects.
Residents work inside Make Santa Fe’s studios and become part of the daily life of our maker community. Throughout the residency they document their progress publicly, share insights from their process, and invite others into the journey of experimentation.
What Residents Receive
- A 3-month membership at Make Santa Fe
- 24-hour access to all fabrication studios
- Free badge classes for the tools they need
- Dedicated project space
- A $500/month stipend to support their project
- Full access to our maker community and mentors
- A public reception or demonstration at the end of the residency
Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of the scrap materials and collaborative knowledge that exist within the Make Santa Fe community.
What we Expect from Residents
The Maker in Residence program is designed to share the process of making, not just the finished result.
Residents are expected to:
- Document their process publicly
- Share monthly talks or presentations with the community
- Participate in the Make Santa Fe ecosystem
- Present their work at the end of the residency
We encourage residents to document not only their successes, but also their failures and iterations. The lessons learned during experimentation are often the most valuable part of the journey.
Failure Is Part of the Program
Most creative spaces only celebrate finished work. We celebrate the messy middle.
The Maker in Residence program openly documents experimentation, mistakes, redesigns, and breakthroughs. By sharing the full creative process, residents help normalize the idea that failure is an essential ingredient of innovation.
When one person attempts something ambitious, the entire community learns.
