MAKERSPACE MANAGER

ArtsQuest; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

ArtsQuest seeks a results-driven leader to manage day-to-day makerspace operations, scheduling, access, and usage in Bethlehem, PA. You will oversee safety, maintenance, and vendor relations while guiding class and workshop development.

You’ll manage budgets, track expenses, and develop revenue streams to sustain programs. Collaboration with ArtsQuest teams, instructors, and community partners is essential to deliver high-quality public and contracted courses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or associate degree in art, design, fabrication, engineering, or related field.
• Experience managing budgets and financial resources.
• Supervisory or leadership experience in a makerspace or similar setting.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience teaching, workshop facilitation, or arts education.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day makerspace operations, scheduling, access, and usage.
• Ensure safe operation, maintenance, and upkeep of all equipment and tools.
• Develop, document, and enforce safety procedures, standard operating procedures, and user policies.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming creative environment.
• Coordinate equipment repairs, service contracts, and vendor relationships.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the makerspace operating budget.
• Track expenses related to equipment, materials, supplies, maintenance, and programming.
• Forecast budget needs and support annual budget planning.
• Assist with purchasing, procurement of equipment and supplies, instructor pay, and class/course pricing.
• Assist with grant-related budget tracking, reporting, and documentation when applicable.
• Provide regular financial updates, usage metrics, and budget reports to leadership.
• Drive the makerspace’s financial success by managing budgets, optimizing resource utilization, developing revenue streams, and ensuring cost-effective operations, while maintaining full accountability for both positive and negative financial performance outcomes.
• Ensure delivery and quality instruction of courses to the public and contracted clients.
• Design and facilitate workshops, classes, orientations, and art programs aligned with ArtsQuest’s mission.
• Oversee workshop and class curriculum development for employed instructors, as well as contracted instructors, and ensure timely coordination of material to AQ Team members for website, registration and marketing build out.
• Support artists, students, educators, and community members with creative projects and fabrication needs.
• Collaborate with internal ArtsQuest teams to integrate makerspace programming into festivals, classes, tours, and support community outreach.
• Coordinate and maintain calendar for the scheduling of rental time, and ensure safe operating procedures for renters of the space.
• Collaborate with AQ Team members to develop an ArtsQuest Makerspace production product line, and oversee the process for efficient and timely delivery of products for sale at retail locations and festivals.
• Stay current with emerging maker tools, creative technologies, and arts-based fabrication practices
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise makerspace staff, interns, volunteers, and/or teaching artists
• Foster a culture of safety, creativity, inclusivity, and professionalism
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and ongoing training opportunities for staff and volunteers
• Serve as a visible and welcoming point of contact for makerspace users and partners
• Build and maintain partnerships with artists, educators, schools, nonprofits, and creative organizations on local, regional, and national levels.
• Promote makerspace offerings through ArtsQuest channels and events

Skills

Budget management

Supervisory experience

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in art, design, fabrication, engineering, education

Tools

Fabrication tools

Studio equipment

Job description

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day makerspace operations, scheduling, access, and usage
• Ensure safe operation, maintenance, and upkeep of all equipment and tools
• Develop, document, and enforce safety procedures, standard operating procedures, and user policies
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming creative environment
• Coordinate equipment repairs, service contracts, and vendor relationships
• Develop, manage, and monitor the makerspace operating budget
• Track expenses related to equipment, materials, supplies, maintenance, and programming
• Forecast budget needs and support annual budget planning
• Assist with purchasing, procurement of equipment and supplies, instructor pay, and class/course pricing
• Assist with grant-related budget tracking, reporting, and documentation when applicable
• Provide regular financial updates, usage metrics, and budget reports to leadership
• Drive the makerspace’s financial success by managing budgets, optimizing resource utilization, developing revenue streams, and ensuring cost-effective operations, while maintaining full accountability for both positive and negative financial performance outcomes
• Ensure delivery and quality instruction of courses to the public and contracted clients
• Design and facilitate workshops, classes, orientations, and art programs aligned with ArtsQuest’s mission
• Oversee workshop and class curriculum development for employed instructors, as well as contracted instructors, and ensure timely coordination of material to AQ Team members for website, registration and marketing build out
• Support artists, students, educators, and community members with creative projects and fabrication needs
• Collaborate with internal ArtsQuest teams to integrate makerspace programming into festivals, classes, tours, and support community outreach.
• Coordinate and maintain calendar for the scheduling of rental time, and ensure safe operating procedures for renters of the space
• Collaborate with AQ Team members to develop an ArtsQuest Makerspace production product line, and oversee the process for efficient and timely delivery of products for sale at retail locations and festivals
• Stay current with emerging maker tools, creative technologies, and arts-based fabrication practices
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise makerspace staff, interns, volunteers, and/or teaching artists
• Foster a culture of safety, creativity, inclusivity, and professionalism
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and ongoing training opportunities for staff and volunteers
• Serve as a visible and welcoming point of contact for makerspace users and partners
• Build and maintain partnerships with artists, educators, schools, nonprofits, and creative organizations on local, regional, and national levels.
• Promote makerspace offerings through ArtsQuest channels and events
  • Promote makerspace offerings through ArtsQuest channels and events

Brief Description

• Manage day-to-day makerspace operations, scheduling, access, and usage
• Ensure safe operation, maintenance, and upkeep of all equipment and tools
• Develop, document, and enforce safety procedures, standard operating procedures, and user policies
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming creative environment
• Coordinate equipment repairs, service contracts, and vendor relationships
• Develop, manage, and monitor the makerspace operating budget
• Track expenses related to equipment, materials, supplies, maintenance, and programming
• Forecast budget needs and support annual budget planning
• Assist with purchasing, procurement of equipment and supplies, instructor pay, and class/course pricing
• Assist with grant-related budget tracking, reporting, and documentation when applicable
• Provide regular financial updates, usage metrics, and budget reports to leadership
• Drive the makerspace’s financial success by managing budgets, optimizing resource utilization, developing revenue streams, and ensuring cost-effective operations, while maintaining full accountability for both positive and negative financial performance outcomes
• Ensure delivery and quality instruction of courses to the public and contracted clients
• Design and facilitate workshops, classes, orientations, and art programs aligned with ArtsQuest’s mission
• Oversee workshop and class curriculum development for employed instructors, as well as contracted instructors, and ensure timely coordination of material to AQ Team members for website, registration and marketing build out
• Support artists, students, educators, and community members with creative projects and fabrication needs
• Collaborate with internal ArtsQuest teams to integrate makerspace programming into festivals, classes, tours, and support community outreach.
• Coordinate and maintain calendar for the scheduling of rental time, and ensure safe operating procedures for renters of the space
• Collaborate with AQ Team members to develop an ArtsQuest Makerspace production product line, and oversee the process for efficient and timely delivery of products for sale at retail locations and festivals
• Stay current with emerging maker tools, creative technologies, and arts-based fabrication practices
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise makerspace staff, interns, volunteers, and/or teaching artists
• Foster a culture of safety, creativity, inclusivity, and professionalism
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and ongoing training opportunities for staff and volunteers
• Serve as a visible and welcoming point of contact for makerspace users and partners
• Build and maintain partnerships with artists, educators, schools, nonprofits, and creative organizations on local, regional, and national levels.
• Promote makerspace offerings through ArtsQuest channels and events
  • Promote makerspace offerings through ArtsQuest channels and events

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to the Vice President of Visual Arts and Education
• Works cooperatively with ArtsQuest administration, staff, artists, instructors, and contractors
• Coordinates work with the Visual Arts team
• Track participation, usage, and program outcomes
• Collect data and feedback to support continuous improvement
• Contribute to strategic planning and long-term growth of ArtsQuest’s makerspace
• Ensure compliance with ArtsQuest policies, insurance requirements, and risk management standards

Performance Standards

• Performance in this position is considered satisfactory when:
• Mutually agreed upon objectives have been attained within a specific time frame
• Responsibilities of the position have been carried out at a level consistent with performance objectives
• Effective cooperative relationships exist with the other members of the ArtsQuest team
• Makerspace must provide a safe working environment for all participants at all times.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in art, design, fabrication, engineering, education, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 3+ years of experience managing or working in a makerspace, studio, fab lab, or similar creative environment
• Demonstrated experience with fabrication tools, creative technologies, or studio equipment
• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenses, and overseeing financial resources
• Supervisory or leadership experience
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a nonprofit, arts organization, or community-based creative space
• Teaching, workshop facilitation, or arts education experience
• Familiarity with grant-funded programs and reporting
• Relevant technical or safety certifications
• Ability to work in a shop or studio environment
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to [30–50] pounds
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events, workshops, or festivals