November 14, 2024

Accomplishments

As I complete grant applications, I am writing accomplishments over the past two years.

We focus on the development of the interests and goals of the individual, with the purpose of developing the Maker Mindset.

Over the past two years:

We prototyped two programs: Practical Microfactory and Handmade Carnival. Most Makers are learning through doing. They make just one thing and then they move on. The Practical Microfactory creates an environment where they have the opportunity to create more in small batches. This changes the thinking and fabrication methods and involves others. The Handmade Carnival provides a way for us to monetize the products, regardless of the quality of the result, because the products are hand-made. Together, we can find sponsors for the production or charge to play.

We created a model of sponsorships by the Port of Long Beach and the Arts Council for Long Beach. We took an event-based approach and involved community members in the grant-writing and event planning and management.

We established a volunteer agreement and relationship with the previous corporation to handle payroll services for those who can be paid (when we have grants), and with Farmers and Merchant’s bank to support our enterprises with free accounts.

We established a relationship with the Long Beach – Qingdao Association, a Sister City of Long Beach, and hosted an event themed around the Lunar New Year, within their Lunar New Year event. We produced culturally appropriate activities and started the Handmade Carnival.

We started and are prototyping an International Friendship Ambassador program. Our first Ambassador is tasked with creating an Art Book based on the lunar new year, that will contain works of art from Qingdao, China and Long Beach, CA. She is successfully seeking funds for her work and the Art Book production.

We are working to visualize and implement a Makerspace Ambassador program with Long Beach Parks and Rec to start Makerspaces in parks.

We are working to develop two Apprenticeship programs. Each based on an Ambassador program.