Category: Uncategorized

Since the beginning, we’ve worked hard to make our resources available to everybody who wants to be a member. We have, since we started, run a pretty significant sponsorship program.

We don’t ask a lot of questions, all we really need to know is that there’s a need, and there’s a desire to create, collaborate and learn and be part of our Brickyard community.  We’ve helped out quite a few people – Right now we have two teachers from the local schools, who bring in classes of kids to use our RISO printer, two students working on their degrees, one person with a disability, one Veteran and a couple of single parents.  All told, this represents nearly $1500 of sponsored fees per month, or $18,000 per year.

In past years some of this has been covered by grants, but honestly, we cover most of this expense out of pocket.  We don’t talk about it, we don’t make a big thing about it, we just do it, and welcome folks into our community.  But, of course, we could use some help and support.  These memberships are for anybody with a need, primarily for Lynn residents, or people who grew up here…

Want to help us out and sponsor a member?  It’s easy.  Donate any amount, any level on this page using PayPal – you can use a PayPal account, or a debit or credit card: Donate

You can also send us a check, to The Brickyard Collaborative, 589 Essex St #207, Lynn, MA 01901.

Thanks, and as always, “Keep making stuff. Take care of people, play nice and clean up after yourselves!”

Are you a maker, an educator, an innovator looking for an opportunity work with and lead a creative community of artists, entrepreneurs, and fellow makers? The Brickyard Collaborative in Lynn seeks an executive director to manage our community and our workshop, and to help us realize our long-term goals as an organization and an important community partner in Lynn and on the North Shore.

Brickyard members use our space to do woodworking, blacksmithing, 3D printing, photography, and much more. We have entrepreneurs and hobbyists, printmakers and electronics specialists. Some members pay monthly for access to our resources, while others maintain dedicated spaces for their projects or small businesses. Having expanded our footprint by moving to our new 10,000 square foot space just this past year, we are looking for a leader that that is eager for the opportunity to help our organization fulfill its potential and remain sustainable for the long-term.

A key component of the role of executive director will include the pursuit of grant opportunities secure funding for the position.

Your skills + The role

The Executive Director of The Brickyard Collaborative is an innovator responsible for directing all aspects of the Makerspace facility and setting short-, mid-, and long-term strategic goals. Other key responsibilities include the management of all day-to-day operations; building and maintaining strong community partnerships; overseeing staffing, space, resources, and resource use; and all financial planning and fiscal oversight for the Makerspace.

The Brickyard’s Executive Director shapes programs and product offerings of the shop; oversees lab staff responsible for monitoring the enforcement of all safety policies and guidelines in accordance with city and state requirements; develops and proposes workshops, events, membership offerings, and new program elements; and provides guidance to community stakeholders and users through the development and execution of training modules as well as the creation and distribution of resource materials (i.e., operations manuals and safety guidelines). Additionally, the position works with a member Steering Committee to address operational issues, finances, improvements, and challenges.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Liberal Arts

Required Experience:
7+ years experience overseeing medium- to large-scale Makerspace environment as well as experience with supervising renovation and construction projects and managing budgets.

Preferred Experience:
Familiarity with current higher education engineering curriculum trends and/or working in an academic environment.

How To Apply:
Please send your resume/CV and a letter expressing your interest to our board president Scott Nowka at snowka@gmail.com.

Feel free to contact us with questions. We look forward to hearing from you.

Apply by:
December 08, 2023
Salary: 0

It seems like it’s been a long time since our last class….  well, it has, but it’s like riding a bicycle!  We’re right back at it, and our first classes were a huge success.

Thanks to member Sally Jacobson and friend (and cohort), Stefanie Timmermann, we had a couple of really fun, really successful classes, and the re-launch of workshops and classes at The Brickyard is OFF!

Check out our classes pages, and we hope to see you soon!

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Over $4000, and 6 Patrons in 4 days! 

Update: We’ve had an incredible response in a short few days!  We’re already well on our way to making our $20,000 goal!  Our program clearly resonates in this community and beyond!

Want to help us make it?  Love what we’re doing?  Want to support what we’ve done?  Easy! Go here:
https://www.patronicity.com/project/boatbuilding_at_the_brickyard#!/

Since the onslaught of COVID, we’ve tried to keep from asking people for help.  Instead, we’ve rolled up our sleeves, pitched in and tried to make do with what we had.  Our results speak for themselves. Now, we need your help.

Our goal is to expand and solidify our boat building program into a regular event that we can share with the Lynn community and beyond.  To do that we’re applying to the MassDevelopment Collaborative Workspace program for funding.

The grant requires 100% in matching funds.  That’s where you come in.  We just launched a Patronicity campaign, running from now until June 3 – coming up fast – with a goal of $20,000.  With that funding, we can write a proposal for a $40,000 project, acquiring tools and materials to make boatbuilding a “thing” in Lynn.

As you can read in the project description, this program has been at the core of our mission since day one.  It’s an incredibly powerful educational tool, with a proven track record.  Read more on our partner’s site, Community Boatbuildiing.

Thank you for your well-wishes and your support over the 5 years we’ve been growing, and I hope you can help us make the next step!

Ted Dillard
Director,
The Brickyard Collaborative

Keep making stuff. Take care of people, play nice and clean up after yourselves.