Makerspace at 16 STate
A downtown space for making, learning, gathering, and growing
The Makerspace at 16 State Street is a Heart of Ellsworth program created to bring more art, education, collaboration, and community activity into downtown Ellsworth. Located in the heart of the historic downtown, the space supports exhibitions, workshops, public programs, creative skill-building, and community gatherings.
The Makerspace is currently in its advancement phase. Programs and events are already taking place, while Heart of Ellsworth continues to grow the partnerships, funding, and long-term systems needed to fully support the space.
how we got here
Through community planning and feasibility work, Heart of Ellsworth identified a need for a flexible downtown space where arts, education, civic life, and local economic activity could come together.
16 State Street offered an opportunity to reimagine an underused downtown building as a public-facing community asset. Rather than creating a space shaped by one organization alone, Heart of Ellsworth began developing the Makerspace as a collaborative program where artists, educators, schools, nonprofits, residents, and community partners can help shape what happens inside.
Since opening activity in the space in 2024, 16 State Street has hosted exhibitions, workshops, public events, vendor opportunities, and community gatherings. These early programs have helped test ideas, build partnerships, and show the potential for the building to become a long-term hub for creative learning and downtown engagement.
