| Welcome to the weird world of Maker Faire, a giant melting pot of science geeks, do-it-yourselfers and entrepreneurs. Since the event launched in San Mateo, Calif. in 2006, it has attracted a growing number of innovators seeking to catalyze their startup businesses. —Jessica Bruder, Fortune Small Business |
"I know makers everywhere heard the President's message and were inspired by it," said Dale Dougherty, organizer of Maker Faire. Dougherty expects Maker Faire this year to show how lots of makers responded to President Obama's call. "What we do matters, and that's the spirit of DIY culture," said Dougherty. He continued, "Bringing so many people together at Maker Faire provides makers the opportunity to share new ideas and show off the things they make."
Last May, Maker Faire welcomed over 500 makers and 65,000 attendees to the two-day DIY festival. Put together by MAKE magazine, Maker Faire celebrates things people create themselves--from robotics and electronic gizmos to crafts, food makers, alternative and DIY energy and so much more.
Started in California in 2006, Maker Faire branched out to Austin, TX in 2007 and 2008. This spring, the award-winning Maker Faire returns to the Bay Area at The San Mateo County Expo Center, May 30th and 31st, 2009. In preparation for this year's event, a team from MAKE magazine (www.makezine.com) will be scheduling 15-minute appointments at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, March 8th, from noon to 4pm, to preview, and meet with, potential makers, crafters and inventors from the area.
"We're looking for anyone who has something fun to share, something they've made with their hands," explains Dale Dougherty, Publisher & Editor of MAKE magazine. "It can be practical or impractical--it could be something simple like a creative costume or maybe some handmade jewelry. Or it could be something wild like a bike with ten wheels, or a dog-powered lawn mower. Whatever it is, the more creative and imaginative, the better!"
Audition Details:
- When: Sunday, March 8th, 2009 (noon - 4pm)
- Where: The Tech Museum of Innovation 201 South Market Street San Jose, CA 95113-2008 (408) 795.6225
- Admission: FREE
- Contact for Auditions: Sherry Huss, (707) 827-7074 or sherry@oreilly.com
Additional Resources:
For more information, see makerfaire.com for general information, and Call for Makers for more information on how to submit your entry form.
About The Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech Museum of Innovation, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at its current downtown location, is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Tech Museum - located in the Capital of Silicon Valley - is a non-profit educational resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing technologies affecting their lives. Through educational programs, the annual Tech Challenge team competition for youth, and the internationally recognized Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc. The Tech Museum of Innovation celebrates the present and encourages the development of innovative ideas for a more promising future. For more information about The Tech Museum of Innovation, visit www.thetech.org.
About Maker Faire
Maker Faire is the premier event for grassroots American innovation. The event started in San Mateo, California in 2006 and expanded to Austin, Texas in 2007. Held annually in each of these locations, the event may expand elsewhere in the future. Maker Faire is supported by MAKE magazine and craftzine.com
About O’Reilly
O’Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O’Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying “faint signals” from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism.