The Kansas Maker Space Collective brings together members of various communities around (but not limited to) Kansas who are in the exploration or initiation stages of creating a community maker space – a hub for innovative, creative thinking, design and hands-on fabrication. Led by former and current staff of Fab Lab ICC – a nationally recognized champion of entrepreneurship development in context of a maker space – the Collective is designed to grow, encourage and support a network of like-minded community movers, shakers, dreamers and doers.

Our Credentials

Located in Independence, Kansas, Fab Lab ICC opened its doors in 2014 on the campus of Independence Community College as a “workshop” for the imagination and, in about four years’ time, evolved to become the world's largest maker space in a community with a population under 10,000. An uncommon combination of hands-on maker tools (from laser engravers and sign printers to sewing machines and photography equipment) combined with an even more uncommon approach to learning by doing has spawned a developing entrepreneurial ecosystem flourishing with curiosity and inventive thinking. 

Fab Lab ICC programming has ranged from mindset courses for aspiring entrepreneurs; to STEM education for middle schoolers; how-to maker space boot camps for community development organizations; and support for small businesses in the way of affordable fabrication and marketing tools.

After years of success and setbacks – a-ha and uh-oh moments - recently retired Fab Lab ICC director Jim Correll and his partners seek to share their key learnings and lab model with a broader audience in hopes of advancing the concepts and impact in a wider geography.

Meet Our Facilitators

What We Offer

The central feature of this group is a private digital forum where members can pitch ideas for feedback, ask questions etc. Our facilitators will be available to respond, and other members of the Collective will be encouraged to respond and join the conversation. In that way, we can all learn from each other as we navigate through our journeys.

As we identify frequently asked questions, we'll publish them on a page available to members as well as links to documents and lists that may be helpful to members.

Cost

Launched in July 2023, the collective is in its formative phase, offering special charter membership pricing – including scholarships - to allow an affordable buy-in for participants seeking to better their communities. * After all, for us, it’s not about the money, it’s about the impact.

The cost for the first and second individuals from a community and/or library is $490.00 $290.00*. (Includes one or two people.)

Additional people from the same community and/or library, $245.00 $145.00*.

*For very small communities and libraries, we have first-year/full-membership/need-based scholarships available on a case-by-case basis. Contact Jim Correll at 620-252-5349 to inquire. 

To view membership levels, visit Join us. (www.correllcoaching.com, Join Us tab.)