General Questions

Where is Cruces Creatives located?

205 East Lohman Avenue
Las Cruces, NM 88001

What are your hours of operation?

Our business hours are:

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday and Monday: Closed

What is a "makerspace"?

A makerspace is like a gym or a rec center, but instead of focusing on exercise, the focus is on creativity. At Cruces Creatives, you can find all sorts of tools and workspaces, regular classes and workshops on how to build skills and make things, and a diverse, supportive community of creative people. 

What type of business is Cruces Creatives?

Cruces Creatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Many of our charitable programs are supported by grants, while the facility itself exists thanks to lots of volunteer labor, donations of supplies and tools, membership dues, and revenue from the JobShop (Cruces Creatives's custom design and fabrication service). 

Who is responsible for the Cruces Creatives' vision?

Our Board of Directors consists of a community-based leadership team that includes artists, educators, entrepreneurs, scientists, IT professionals, and engineers.

Do you accept donations?

Community donations have built Cruces Creatives! We gratefully accept donations of money, time, equipment, and supplies. Please see the Donate Page for more information. We also have a Corporate Sponsorship Program for businesses.

Can I take of a tour of the facility?

Yes! Take a free, fifteen-minute tour of Cruces Creatives during any of our open hours, when a front desk monitor is always available to answer any questions that you may have. 

For group tours, please contact us in advance to schedule. There is a small fee, based on the number of visitors, for a group tour.

How can I keep informed about the makerspace and events occurring there?

You can view upcoming events on the Events Page. You can fill in the information on the Contact Page and you will receive a newsletter via email each week that will keep you up-to-date with the makerspace.

Membership Questions

What does it cost to be a member of Cruces Creatives?

You have a few choices! All members help support the makerspace, and that support can be offered as either time or money. If you'd like to become a member by volunteering, visit our volunteer page. Three hours of volunteering a week gets you a membership. If you'd like to pay money for your membership, you have a few options here, too. You can get an individual membership for $35/month or $385/year (yearly members get one month free), or you can get a group membership for up to five people for $45/month or $495/year (yearly group members get one month free, too). To learn more or sign up as a paying member, visit the Become A Member page. Support from volunteer and paying members is equally important, and all members get the same benefits (learn more about that under "What does it mean to be a member of Cruces Creatives?").

How do I become a member of Cruces Creatives?

The easiest way is through the Become A Member page. To join through the website, you will need a credit or debit card. You can also visit the makerspace and a team member will assist you at the front desk.

During your first visit, you will need to sign a Waiver of Liability and a document agreeing to our Goals and Policies.

What does it mean to be a member of Cruces Creatives?

As a member, you have full access to all of the tools and workspaces at the main facility during business hours. Membership also includes introductory safety and/or skills classes for each of our major areas. Safety classes are mandatory for areas with potentially hazardous tools.

In a broader sense, being a member means joining a culture of creative, talented, and dedicated people who are working to improve our community.

As a member, do I get discounts or other advantages?

Members get a discounted rate for events held in the facility. Members also get free safety and/or skills classes as part of their membership.

I live fairly far away and don’t anticipate using the makerspace very frequently. Can I use the facility on an as-needed basis?

You can buy day pass packages in packs of five or ten. Each package includes the same safety and/or skill classes as a regular membership. The current price for five (5) day passes is $100. The current price for ten (10) day passes is $150.

What about children? Can they be members?

Children ages 13 and younger are covered under their parent's or guardian's membership. Children ages 14 and older can, with the permission of a parent or guardian, become a member and use the facility. The parent/guardian must sign a waiver of liability for each child and may optionally specify that the child can use the facility unsupervised. The child must attend the standard safety classes.

I am a member. Can I bring children with me to the makerspace?

Each member can bring up to two children, ages 13 and under, with them to the makerspace. There is no charge for the children. You are required, however, to maintain close supervision of the children and assume responsibility for their safety. Children may be excluded from parts of the facility.

Volunteering Questions

Do you need volunteers?

Absolutely! Volunteers help keep the makerspace running on a day-to-day basis, help with special projects, and support the many charitable projects launched through Cruces Creatives. Visit the volunteer page on the website for more information, or stop by the makerspace.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

The most direct benefit is that, if you commit to twelve (12) hours of volunteering per month on a regular schedule, you become a member of Cruces Creatives, with all the same benefits as the paid membership option. You'll also get to work with a great team of creative people and help support the charitable programs that Cruces Creatives runs.

Event Questions

How do I find out about special events being held at the makerspace?

Check the Events Page for a list of upcoming events. If you subscribe to the Cruces Creatives newsletter via the Contact Page, you'll also get a weekly email with makerspace news and lists of upcoming events.

Can I hold an event at Cruces Creatives? How about teach a class?

We encourage community involvement and are always open to new ideas. Please visit the link here to begin the process.

Facility Questions

Can members use the conference room for meetings?

Yes, members can reserve the conference room for meetings or other events so long as there is no charge for attendance and it is available during the required period. The conference room can also be rented for special events.

I have a project that will take a while to complete. Can I store it at the makerspace while I work on it?

Yes, we have storage areas specifically for this purpose. At the end of each session, you can store your project. There are forms available that are used to identify it.

What does Cruces Creatives do to ensure the safety of people working in the makerspace?

We require that members attend specific safety training classes before they are allowed to used particular tools. For example, there are safety classes required before using power tools in the woodworking shop. These classes are included in the price of a membership. In addition, areas containing potentially dangerous tools are always staffed by a monitor who is responsible for keeping the area safe.

I have a project that will require quite a lot of materials to complete. Does Cruces Creatives supply these materials as part of my membership?

In general, we do not supply materials for projects. Each member is responsible for procuring any materials they need. There are minor exceptions to this rule. For example, the woodworking shop contains a scrap pile of wood that can be used freely. There are also various fasteners and other hardware. Members should consider these to be community resources and are encouraged to use them considerately and donate their own scrap wood, etc., to the cause. Similar considerations apply to the other areas in the makerspace.

You should store all computer files on a private flash drive.