Mission & History at Technocopia
Technocopia has been building itself as a makerspace since 2013, but it has been continually growing and developing with each member that joins our community and makes an impact.
Technocopia’s Mission
Nurture community by providing tools, instruction, and workspaces to create.
Everyone deserves the outlets to create, repair and design. Making is an amazing practice for problem solving, creative expression and is a known marker for physical and emotional wellbeing.
In the United States we are often encouraged to use creative outlets as children, but as adults, we lose a lot of access to those outlets. We’re often told anything we make is only valuable if it can be commodified, and less opportunities to be creative come along. Technocopia is an opportunity for new skill sets, creative expression, community building, and if you want to, supporting a business in the arts or trades.
Our Philosophies
Open Source and Open Support for All
We strive towards fulfilling our mission for all to have access to the tools, skills, and community to create by fostering:
Community Driven Stewardship
Our members are encouraged to take ownership of the space as a community, including cleaning and caring for the tools everyone uses, running events, and supporting staff in community projects.
Cross Pollination & Collaboration
A goal for our Open Hack event is for them to encourage spontaneous collaborating between members. Our members often start up multi-disciplinary projects that they normally wouldn’t be able to by themselves.
Open Source Learning With Support
We focus on teaching open source programs to use our tools when we can so you can continue making without Technocopia. Our culture of communal learning also encourages talking to peers to troubleshoot projects.
Leadership Transparency
As our organization grows, we strive to continue efforts to involve our community in our journey. We host quarterly member meetings for sharing larger organizational change, and newsletter emails about updates.
Local Community Engagement
A large part of our work is supporting and spreading our mission to our local community. We offer nonprofit memberships, working to provide financial aid, run workshops and table at community events to achieve this.
Technocopia Through the Years
Technocopia Makerspace is Founded
Technocopia is founded as an evolution of the Neuron Robotics Prototype shop into a shared workspace at 95 Prescott St.
Technocopia Moves to the Printer's Building
Technocopia moves into the Printer’s Building at 44 Portland St. along with Think Tank Education and a woodworking collective that join the Makerspace. This move is funded by a $16k indiegogo campaign and a MassDevelopment grant.
Technocopia Takes Over the 6th Floor
Technocopia started with only ¼ of the 6th floor at 44 Portland St, but soon expanded bit by bit to take over the whole of the 6th floor. Most of the labor for various construction was volunteer efforts coordinated by paid contractors.
COVID-19 Pandemic Shuts Down Technocopia
Technocopia, like most Makerspaces in 2020 saw significant changes to its operations. The newly added textiles shop was used to fabricate masks and other shops were used to build Face Shields.
Technocopia Hosts Make-It Festival
Technocopia hosted a community event of demos, collaborative projects, community building and studio tours!
Tri-Centennial Puppets with Guardians of Tradition
Technocoia collaborated with Guardians of Tradition and other local arts and culture groups to help make 18 giant puppets for Worcester’s 300th anniversary!
10 Year Anniversary
For Technocopia’s 10th anniversary we opened our doors to 150 community visitors and members new and old to celebrate with a carnival theme! From robotic fortune telling to giant games and mirrors this sparked several fun community projects!