FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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IMLS Press Contact
Giuliana Bullard, 202-653-4799
gbullard@imls.gov
IMLS Hosts the First Capitol Hill Maker Faire June 11
The free event will bring the world of Making to Capitol Hill
Washington, DC—The Maker movement is coming to Washington, DC, and the Capitol Hill Maker Faire kicks off the celebration. The June 11 event is being held in conjunction with the much largerNational Maker Faire at the University of DC, on June 12–13, and will be followed by the White House National Week of Making, June 12–18.
Hosted by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in collaboration with the Congressional Maker Caucus, Maker Media, and Nation of Makers, the faire will explore the new movement driven by hobbyists, tinkerers, crafters, and innovators that is breathing new life and innovation into American manufacturing. The movement is also changing the face of informal learning at community institutions with learning that is inherently experimental, inventive, creative, and project-based.
The faire will feature approximately 30 exhibitors with hands-on displays, such as robots, crafts, 3D printers, and other new manufacturing tools, and is open to members of Congress, their staff, and the public. The faire will be preceded by a series of panel discussions with leaders of the Maker movement discussing its impact on the economy, education, and community development. The panel discussions are ticketed events geared for the public, including members of Congress and their staff. Both the faire and panels are open to the press; Press RSVP to gbullard@imls.gov.
Capitol Hill Maker Faire is free and open to the public!
Date: June 11, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Rayburn House Office Building Cafeteria, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC
Cost: Free, but registration requested: http://capitolmakerfaire.eventbrite.com
Website: https://www.imls.gov/news-events/events/capitol-hill-maker-faire
Panel Schedule
Times:
- 11:00 am The Wide World of Making and Makerspaces
- 12:00 pm Making, the Economy and Workforce Development (lunch provided)
- 2:00 pm Making in Community
- 3:00 pm Making and Education
Location: Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-338
Cost: Free, but registration requested: http://chmf-panels.eventbrite.com
"As leaders in participatory learning, museums and libraries are ideal settings for community makerspaces. More and more institutions are leveraging their collections, networks, and staff resources for makerspaces, and IMLS has supported them with more than $4 million in funding,” said Maura Marx, Acting Director of IMLS.
"We are excited to be collaborating with many of the nation’s leading Maker experts and with the Maker Caucus to bring the Maker movement to Capitol Hill. The Maker movement promotes experimentation, invention, creation, and exploration through design and project-based learning and aligns with President Obama’s Educate to Innovate.”
"Making is going on in every Congressional district in the country and the Capitol Hill Maker Faire will be a great event to highlight some of the activity. The Maker Movement is about teaching STEAM education, it’s about job creation, and it’s about innovation and community development,” said Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA). “The goal of this faire is to show the public, including members of Congress and their staff, the potential of the Maker Movement, and point them to resources that will help it grow in their community."
"The innovative small businesses in the Maker Movement help grow our economy through important technological advances and creating new jobs," Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) said.
Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), said, "I am proud to serve as a co-chair of the Congressional Maker Caucus because I believe it is important for Congress to continue supporting the development of new technology in American manufacturing."
"The Capitol Hill Maker Faire is a great chance for the public, including members of Congress and Congressional staff, to see what the Maker Movement is about and more importantly, how it will positively impact education and manufacturing in the United States. I have seen firsthand what these new technologies can do in my own Congressional District as they provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to envision and produce new products, build businesses and put people to work,” said Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH).
About the Congressional Maker Caucus
The Congressional Maker Caucus is a bi-partisan group of members of the United States Congress who recognize the importance of the community of makers who use technologies such as 3-D printers, CNC machines, laser cutting machines and other manufacturing technologies that enable anyone, from individuals to small and large companies, to craft, build and create, rather than just consume. Follow on Twitter: @Maker Caucus
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
IMLS acknowledges those organizations who have supported the Capitol Hill Maker Faire; however, any reference to such organizations does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of those organizations by IMLS or the United States Government.