So YOU want to showcase YOUR Awesomeness! THANK YOU!

We are CALLING ALL MAKERS! The Ozarks Maker Faire  is a family-friendly event that brings together science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) along with craft, homesteading music, food, workshops, and performance.

The Ozarks Maker Faire  regularly attracts thousands and thousands of guests to see what and how people are inventing, making and creating.  This is our 7th year of showcasing what’s creative & innovative throughout the Ozarks region.  We want YOU to showcase YOUR creative & innovative spirit- whether you’re a hobbyist, established maker, or cutting edge company.  The last six years’ Faires have featured more than 700 Makers and Maker Assistants along with more than 12,000 attendees (TOTAL from the past 6 years) and 180+ Maker booths with hands-on activities.

THIS year The Ozarks Maker Faire will be a Hybrid Event (In Person & Maker Videos on our YouTube channel). We will also be doing a Facebook Livestream featuring prerecorded makers showcasing their creations, an accompanying YouTube presence and a maker landing page.

This is a great opportunity for businesses, schools, groups, individuals, and organizations that would like to demonstrate what they make and how it works.

TYPES OF EXHIBITS:

Maker Exhibit : Businesses, Schools, groups, individuals, and organizations that would like to demonstrate what they make and/or how it works in an  exhibit space; interactive exhibits are encouraged. For maker groups, please have one point person to coordinate your efforts.

The Ozarks Maker Faire provides individual or small hobbyist group Makers that are participating purely by sharing their project and inspiring others to make with exhibit space, tables, chairs, power, entry passes, etc., at no cost to the Maker. Makers with commercial interests are asked to pay an exhibit fee.

The difference between Commercial Makers and Craft Maker: Both Commercial Makers and Craft Makers are a part of Maker Faire. Craft Makers are dedicated people who are selling their handmade craft items.  On the other hand, Commercial Makers (Businesses) exhibit in various areas of the event, demonstrating what they make and usually offer a hands-on activity; Selling is a side-addition to their demonstration; selling is not the main focus of their exhibit.

Presentation: Individuals and groups who would like to talk about an idea or project of interest to the Maker community, OR makers who are interested in demonstrating what they make and how it works in a stage setting. Presentations are typically 25 or 50 minutes, with some time for Q&A. If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you’ll have the opportunity in the Entry Form to enter public-facing presenter information and remain the primary contact.

  • Business Showcase ($300): Business that want to showcase new innovations or procedures that help the general public better understand what your company does or showcase their innovation. Large Businesses please consider being a sponsor to help us promote a stronger STEM community!  Sponsorships start at just $500!
  • PreK-12th Grade/College/University ($200): Showcase how your college/university is being creative & innovative. (e.g. PBL, FIRST, Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Robots).
  • SMALL Nonprofits/Clubs (with less than 5 employees) NO COST, but you will need to bring your own table/chairs.  If you want us to provide that for you the cost is $50 .  We want YOU there to showcase YOUR organizations creativity & innovation- so if this cost is an issue email to discuss.
  • Commercial  &/or Craft Makers ($100- includes electricity): Individuals who would like to sell or market products along with demonstrating what they make at their Maker exhibit. Fee is payable upon acceptance. You will be invoiced, so watch your email.
  • Commercial Young Maker: Young Makers (ages 18 or younger)- NO COST, ages 18 and below, who sell a product along with demonstrating what they make and/or show how it works. If you are selling we need to know, so we can help you obtain a Springfield Business License- we will walk you through the process.

 

Approved applications will be added to theozarks.makerfaire.com/2021-makers-exhibits to serve as your maker landing page. It will have your contact information and if you have a website that will also be listed, so you will have another platform to showcase or sell.

It is the #creativity & #innovation event of the year. Come  share your passion for creating, making and showcasing your creative wares.

NEED SOME POINTERS?  Watch this video Jim put together for you last year with lots of great relevant information!

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This family-friendly event showcases the amazing work of all kinds of makers in the Ozarks area and beyond—anyone who is embracing the DIY or DIT (do-it-together!) spirit and wants to share their accomplishments with an appreciative audience.  Exhibits that are interactive or highlight the process of making things are especially desired.  

Tips and tricks when working through the application include:

  • Read EVERYTHING! We know it can be tempting to skip a line or two to get right into the application, BUT all the information is important to know, so please, read everything! AND if it has a red “*” you need to add information. If it is not pertinent to you just type “aaaa” in the form box.
  • Be as descriptive as possible about your project.
  • SPELLCHECK ! Especially your e-mail address; e-mail will be our primary source of communication. If your e-mail is spelled incorrectly, or has an extra space, you could miss your opportunity to show off at the Faire!
  • If the field has an * it must be filled out even if you just type “aaa”- only if it does not pertain to you
  • Should ONLY take about 10 minutes top- if it takes longer just give us a call. 417-882-9603
  • Prepare good photos, or video content, you can provide with your application.
  • Do you have questions? – Just ask us! Reach out to us at theozarksmakerfaire@gmail.com.

 

ENTRY INFORMATION

ENTRY INFORMATION

  • Apply as an exhibitor, performer, or presenter.
  • Entry Open Date: Friday, April 27, 2021 . Hopefully COVID_19 does not caused us to push pause this year, but we’re up and running and thinking positive! We will also be taking Greene County/Springfield, and CDC precautions to keep everyone safe.

The first step to participating in the Maker Faire is to submit an entry that tells us about yourself and your project. Entries can be submitted from individuals; groups such as hobbyist clubs and schools; commercial makers or crafters; startups; and companies.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN A MAKER WITH US BEFORE … just email theozarksmakerfaire@gmail.com letting us know and we will duplicate your prior application and revise it for THIS year. HOW COOL IS THAT!!

Here’s some suggested ideas for topics that we’re looking for:

  • Robotics
  • Wearables, E-Textiles, Fashion Tech
  • Biology/Biotech and Chemistry Projects
  • Drones & RC Fun
  • Homesteader & Domestic Arts
  • Kinetic, Fire & Installation Art
  • Digital Fabrication – 3D Printers, CNC, ETC
  • Open Hardware Projects
  • Design: Industrial, Fashion, Product, Urban
  • Young Makers & School Maker Clubs
  • Music Performance
  • Hacks of Any Sort
  • Glass
  • Ceramics
  • Foundry & Blacksmithing
  • How-To Workshops, Panel Discussions and Presenters
  • Electronic Projects
  • Textiles and Arts and Crafts
  • Rockets and RC Toys
  • Sustainable Transportation
  • Radios, Vintage Computers and Game Systems
  • Electronics
  • Puppets
  • Bicycles and Human-Powered Machines
  • Shelter (Tents, Domes, etc.)
  • Unusual Tools or Machines
  • How to Fix Things or Take them Apart (Vacuums, Clocks, Washing Machines, etc.)

Sponsor: If you share OUR passion for promoting creativity and innovation in our region— JOIN US AS A SPONSOR. Together we can build a platform for the Maker Movement that will help promote a stronger STEM/STEAM focus throughout our Ozarks region. This will encourage more entrepreneurs and small businesses to flourish.

Corporate entities and established companies are welcomed as sponsors at Maker Faires. For more information about becoming a sponsor, please see our Sponsor page.

Presentations or Workshops: 25 minute or 50 minute time slots.  Can be demos, stories, how-tos, and group (panel) conversations.

OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Volunteer: More information will be posted soon here.