Published Wednesday 9 March 2016 at 9:41
New Making Rooms director, Dr. Eddie Kirkby, says he wants to show that combining creativity with technology can generate limitless opportunities for both employment and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Kirkby took up his new post two weeks ago as head of the facility due to open later this year.
The former Charity Operations Manager at the Manchester-based Manufacturing Institute was appointed to steer Blackburn’s pioneering hub for creative, artistic, digital and technological innovation.
The three-storey facility in Exchange Street will feature artist studios, flexible workspaces, a café, exhibition space and areas for workshops.
Central to the project will be a Fab Lab where members of the public can produce new products and artworks using state of the art machinery such as 3D printers and laser cutters.
Dr. Kirkby who has a PHD in optical fibre communication played a pivotal role in bringing the idea of the Fab Lab to the UK from the US where they were developed.
He says one of his priorities will be to make people realise that technology is nothing to be scared of.
“You can design, create and make a huge variety of things with little or no prior knowledge or experience.”
“And the skills learnt can be applied to seeking further training, employment or even starting a new business and can open a lot of doors especially for young people.”
Other aims for the facility that is funded by Arts Council England, Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, include creating a vehicle for new technology and creative start-ups to grow.
In addition, Dr. Kirkby wants the centre to become a social hub for events, shows and live music as well as a space that community groups and hobbyists can meet.
He especially hopes to attract families to participate in arts, crafts and making activities and has also been building links with businesses who can use the facility to develop new products and test out new techniques and technologies.
As well as making local connections his role is to position the Making Rooms as a centre of excellence for making on a national scale as well as bringing the best ideas from similar facilities around the world to Blackburn.
He said: “There is a strong global network of Fab Labs and makerspaces who all share the same dreams about creating a worldwide culture of makers. The Making Rooms will both learn from best practice around the world but also share its own ideas and capabilities with others.”
Currently a manager for the Fab Lab is being sought who will run the service day to day, lead workshops and be on hand for technical advice.
Executive member for Resources, Councillor Andy Kay said: “The Making Rooms will be one of the jewels in the crown of the town centre’s regenerations plans and will offer limitless opportunities for skills and training for our residents in particular our young people”