SplatSpace

SplatSpace is a multidisciplinary collaborative workspace[1] located in Durham, North Carolina. SplatSpace, also known as SplatSpace: Durham's HackerSpace, and previously as Durham's MakerSpace is a 501(c)(3)[2] non-profit organization composed primarily of people from the local maker community. Classifiable as a Hackerspace or Makerspace, the majority of activities members are involved in typically revolve around technology, however, traditional skills such as wood-working, metal working, textiles, arts and crafts are represented as well.

SplatSpace: Durham's HackerSpace
Formation2010 (2010)
FounderAlan Dipert
Founded atDurham, North Carolina
Legal statusActive
Location
Membership (2016)
40 - 50
Jeff Crews - President
Ryan Patridge - Vice President
Websitesplatspace.org
Formerly called
Durham's MakerSpace

Origins

Splatspace was initially founded in 2010 as Durham's MakerSpace by Alan Dipert.

Mission statement

"To provide a space for its members and the local community to develop and share their interests in science, technology, art, and culture."

Organizational structure

SplatSpace's primary organizational unit is its board of directors, which consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, public relations officer, and two "at large" board members. Officer positions are occupied by elected members on a yearly cycle; all board positions are volunteer positions. Despite having a board of directors, SplatSpace is largely a "do-ocracy" wherein members themselves drive activities either independently or in conjunction with the board.

Membership driven funding model

SplatSpace is a primarily membership driven organization, and operational funds are obtained through the collection of monthly recurring membership fees. Income and expenses are public record, and available in the monthly meeting's minutes which are published on the first Tuesday of each month.[3]

Logo and nomenclature

The name is derived from the asterisk, a symbol which when used in regular expressions is used to match any number of characters. An asterisk, which is sometimes referred to as a "splat"[4] has historic etymological roots in the fields of programming and computer science. This naming convention is meant to symbolically represent the diversity of skills and interests represented by the membership base and local maker community.

Community activities

SplatSpace is host to, and has organized various community activities.

In 2012 Splat Space partnered with the Efland-Cheeks Elementary School to sponsor a "Robot Mini-Camp" using Lego Mindstorms.[5][6]

Recurring events

Weekly meetings are held weekly on Tuesday nights, and are free and open to the public. Additional recurring events include a monthly "Game Night", "Splaturday! Open Project Afternoon", and "Software Sundays" ; The main schedule of events is located on the organization's MeetUp page.

References
  1. "Splat Space - Durhams MakerSpace". Splat Space. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  2. "501c3Lookup - DURHAM MAKERSPACE". 501c3Lookup. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  3. "Meetings - Splatspace". wiki.splatspace.org. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  4. "::Know Your Keyboard: Bang, Splat, Whack!". www.codejacked.com. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  5. "Robot Mini-Camp - AIG at ECE". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
  6. Maguire, Marti (September 15, 2013). "Tinkerer fuels creative spark" (PDF). Triangle&NC News & Observer. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
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