UC Makerspace exists because of the people and organizations who believe that creativity and innovation aren’t luxuries, they’re essentials. When communities have the tools, spaces, and support to make things with their own hands, they don’t just build projects, they build pride, opportunity, and connection. That’s what our partners help us do every single day.
From schools, local businesses, and nonprofits to forward-thinking government leaders and media innovators, our partners represent every corner of the Upper Cumberland’s creative ecosystem. They share their knowledge, lend their hands, and open their doors to help us grow a network where curiosity meets craftsmanship and ideas become reality.
These collaborations make UC Makerspace more than a building with tools. They turn it into a living, breathing hub of collaboration, where a small business can learn to package a new product, a student can discover a love of robotics, a chef can prototype a recipe, and a retiree can finally finish that woodworking project they’ve been dreaming about for years.
Each partnership is a gear in a bigger machine, helping us move toward a future where creativity and education are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or income. Together, we’re proving that when the community invests in makers, the makers invest right back into the community.
Whether it’s co-hosting events, offering professional mentorship, funding programs, or championing our next generation of innovators, our partners and sponsors don’t just support UC Makerspace, they are UC Makerspace. Their involvement ensures that the Upper Cumberland continues to be a place where ideas spark, skills grow, and people come together to create something extraordinary.
Our sister organization, creative counterpart, and daily collaborator in turning imagination into action. Imagine Foundry and UC Makerspace share a single mission: to make creativity accessible, practical, and lifelong.
While UC Makerspace focuses on adults, entrepreneurs, and community makers, Imagine Foundry sparks that same curiosity in children and families. It’s a modern reimagining of a children’s discovery museum; hands-on, curiosity-driven, and rooted in STEAM learning. Here, kids explore art, science, and innovation through play and discovery, while parents and educators join in the fun.
Together, we’ve created a full-circle ecosystem. The Foundry introduces young minds to the joy of creation, and UCM gives them the tools and mentorship to keep building as they grow. Our teams collaborate constantly on events, educational programs, and community projects to make sure creativity thrives at every age.
This partnership is also shaping the Dream Facility, a shared campus where Imagine Foundry and UC Makerspace will operate side by side (along with other partners). Each will have distinct spaces, interactive learning zones for kids, and advanced fabrication labs and kitchens for adults, linked by a shared central hub designed for cross-generational collaboration.
Imagine Foundry isn’t just a partner, it’s part of who we are. Together, we’re proving that curiosity and creativity can build stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger Upper Cumberland.
Our media partner, storytelling ally, and megaphone for creativity in the Upper Cumberland. WCTE-PBS does more than air great television, it amplifies community voices and brings educational stories to life. Their belief in lifelong learning and local innovation aligns perfectly with the UC Makerspace mission.
Through this partnership, we’re collaborating to share the power of making and storytelling with audiences across the region. From on-air features highlighting local creators to behind-the-scenes projects that document our journey, WCTE helps us show the impact of creativity on real lives. They’re not just filming stories, they’re helping build them.
Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a joint presence inside the upcoming Dream Facility, which will include production and broadcast studios alongside classrooms, fabrication spaces, and labs. The integration of public media within a makerspace environment will give learners of all ages access to professional tools and training in digital storytelling, media literacy, and broadcasting.
This collaboration turns the Upper Cumberland into a living classroom, one where innovation is seen, heard, and shared with the world. WCTE-PBS brings reach, experience, and credibility to our work, while UC Makerspace provides the grassroots connection and hands-on learning that make those stories matter.
When education meets media, amazing things happen, and thanks to WCTE, those things get the spotlight.
The Chamber has been instrumental in helping UC Makerspace connect with local businesses, civic leaders, and supporters who share our vision. From networking to strategic planning, their ongoing advocacy strengthens our ability to turn creative energy into tangible community growth.
Helping us connect between education, research, and real-world creativity. Through guest lectures, collaborative projects, and access to technical expertise, TTU-CRI helps bridge the gap between theoretical learning and hands-on innovation right here in the Upper Cumberland.
Supporters of creative growth and local entrepreneurship. The County’s commitment to economic and community development makes them a key ally in advancing programs that support small business creation and workforce education.
A partner in fostering innovation, sustainability, and local engagement. Cookeville’s leadership continues to support the creative economy by backing projects that inspire learning, collaboration, and community connection.
A partner in fostering innovation, sustainability, and local engagement. Cookeville’s leadership continues to support the creative economy by backing projects that inspire learning, collaboration, and community connection.
A partner in fostering innovation, sustainability, and local engagement. Cookeville’s leadership continues to support the creative economy by backing projects that inspire learning, collaboration, and community connection.
UC Makerspace is proud to stand beside an incredible network of local businesses that champion creativity, innovation, and community growth. These partners don’t just write checks or lend a hand; they show up, collaborate, and invest their time, talent, and heart into helping us make a lasting impact. They’ve provided everything from event venues and sponsorships to materials, mentorship, and moral support, proving that a strong creative community is built through shared effort and shared belief.
Together, these businesses help fuel our workshops, fund our programs, and bring life to events that connect makers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether it’s hosting fundraisers, providing supplies, feeding our guests, or simply spreading the word about what we do, each of them plays a crucial role in turning big dreams into tangible results. Their generosity reminds us that making isn’t just about what happens inside our walls, it’s about what happens when an entire community rallies around creativity and says, “We believe in this.”
We’re always looking for new partners who believe in the power of creativity. Whether you want to donate materials, sponsor an event, fund a program, or collaborate on an educational initiative, UC Makerspace is where your ideas and your impact can take shape.
Let’s build something amazing together.
