Can you help us?
Keep Austin woodworking.
We're on a mission to buy a permanent home for Austin's woodworking community: one building, owned by our nonprofit and shared with Splinter Group, Toolmarks and other furniture makers, so rising rents can't scatter the craft.
- Project
- A home of our own
- Owner
- Our nonprofit
- Site
- Still looking
01 · Why a building
Why we need a property
Rising rents and overhead costs are threatening the shops our makers work in.
Many of Austin's woodworking spaces will soon become unaffordable or unavailable. That puts our craftspeople's livelihoods at risk, and with them a whole community of furniture makers. We need a long-term answer: a property we can call our own.
02 · Under one roof
Three groups, one front door
The Austin School of Furniture Foundation is leading the effort with Splinter Group, Toolmarks and other furniture-making organizations. Our foundation would own the property and sub-lease space to local furniture and woodworking groups.
Est. 1998
Splinter Group
A hands-on maker's space for full-time professional artisans, giving affordable, quality workshop space to craftspeople working in wood, metal, ceramics and glass.
Would lease spaceEst. 2016
Toolmarks
Local craftspeople building a community of craft by sharing resources and tools, and promoting work through excellent craftsmanship and relevant designs.
Would lease spaceEst. 2018
Austin School of Furniture Foundation
Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit, teaching furniture making through hands-on classes, events, educational resources and scholarships.
Would own the building
03 · The plan
What the building would do
We haven't found the building yet, so here's the sketch. Six things a home of our own would make possible, one room at a time. Each number below is a room on the plan.
- 1
Sustainability
Prevent the closure and exodus of Austin's woodworking and furniture-making community.
- 2
Affordability
A secure, affordable workspace for the local industry, for the long haul.
- 3
Training
Continued employment and training for the woodworking workforce.
- 4
Growth & support
A center where the community can meet, learn, grow and find resources.
- 5
Events & gallery
A gallery to show artisans' work and a place to host furniture events.
- 6
Community
A central space where designers and artists collaborate and grow.
04 · Where you come in
Four ways to help us get there
We're looking for connections and benefactors who care about arts and crafts in Austin. If one of these sounds like you, pick it and we'll take it from there.
- i.
Connections & introductions
Do you know the movers and shakers in town, or local organizations that could help?
Make an introduction - ii.
Financial support & donations
Can you support this project financially, or donate something that might help?
Make a donation - iii.
A property to call home
Do you own a property or land that might be a good fit for us?
Tell us about a property - iv.
Professional services
Are you a developer, attorney, real estate agent or other professional who could lend a hand?
Offer your skills
05 · Interest survey
Tell us how you can help
Four quick questions, the last one optional. Whatever you pick goes on the plan, and someone from the school will get back to you.
Yeehaw, thank you.
That's one more line on the plan. Someone from the school will be in touch. Questions in the meantime? Call 361-857-9228.
06 · Every gift counts
Rather give today? Every donation helps build the home.
Donations are managed by our nonprofit Board of Directors and help fund scholarships, operating expenses, lower class costs, living wages for teachers and staff, community events, and the effort to buy a permanent property for the school.
501(c)(3) nonprofit · Tax ID 92-2744783