Access Space
Access Space Network Ltd. is a Sheffield-based UK charity founded in 2000, operating as the UK's longest-running free, open-access digital media lab. It runs the Refab Space FabLab, artist workshop and exhibition programming, and academic research collaboration, funded primarily by Arts Council England and UK research councils.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersSheffield, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM type—
- OfferingServices
What Access Space does
Access Space Network Ltd. is a registered UK charity founded in 2000 in Sheffield, described on its own materials as the country's longest-running free, open-access digital media lab. The organisation runs a hybrid programme combining a physical digital fabrication facility, a workshop and education portfolio, exhibition programming, and academic research collaboration. Its core operational asset is Refab Space, a DIY FabLab completed in 2012 that houses a 650mm x 400mm laser cutter, a 3D printer and a CNC router, providing cutting, etching and engraving services in MDF, plywood, card, acrylic and Mylar; this service is currently paused during a venue transition to Cuthbert House, Arley St.
Programming centres on free or low-cost workshops covering digital design, laser cutting, coding (Processing, Python), livecoding (TidalCycles, Improviz), open-source graphics and audio tools (Inkscape, GIMP, Blender, Scribus, Bespoke Synth, Audacity, Surge XT), and electronics; open-call exhibitions such as the annual 20x20 (113 submissions and ~800 visitors in March 2023, the largest edition to date); and an experimental performance series (School of Noises and Projections). An Online Residency Programme launched in 2020 extends programming via YouTube streams.
Revenue comes from a layered mix: public and trust grants (Arts Council England, AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, ERC, British Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Crafts Council, National Lottery, PRSF, plus University of Sheffield and Sheffield City Council), ticketed workshop and event income (£3-£30, with most public-facing events free under a bring-a-bottle model), and laser cutting / materials sales (currently paused). Customer segments span independent artists, researchers and academics (notably Lab4Living at Sheffield Hallam University on the 100-Year Life project), community and vulnerable groups, music producers / sound artists, and makers. Governance sits with a board of trustees chaired by Mike Hodson (since 2014); operational leadership rests with Jake Harries (Director of Art & Innovation since 2007), John Moseley (Refab Space Technician) and Alex McLean (Research Director). Headcount is 1-10.
Access Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Access Space
- Legal name
- Access Space Network Ltd.
- Website
- https://access-space.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Access Space Network Ltd. is a Sheffield-based UK charity founded in 2000, operating as the UK's longest-running free, open-access digital media lab. It runs the Refab Space FabLab, artist workshop and exhibition programming, and academic research collaboration, funded primarily by Arts Council England and UK research councils.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Access Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sheffield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Access Space business model
Business model- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Charitable Activities & Public Funding: Access Space Network Ltd is a registered charity with charitable aims to educate the public in information technology and promote visual arts. Receives support from Arts Council England, University of Sheffield, Sheffield City Council, AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, ERC, British Council, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Crafts Council, National Lottery, PRSF.
- Workshop and Course Fees: Charges for workshops including Digital Design & Laser Cutting (£30), Bespoke Synth workshop (£16.96), and other courses. Also offers free workshops.
- Event Tickets: Sells tickets for concerts and performances at £5 on the door, £8 (£5 concessions), with bring-a-bottle model common for experimental music events.
- Laser Cutting Services: Provides laser cutting services to artists, business start-ups and community. 20x20 boards sold for £5. Currently paused due to venue transition.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard concert admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Reduced rate admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Workshop ticket |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Intensive day course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Materials purchase |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free events |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Access Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
No source content was provided for Access Space; core offerings could not be determined from the input.
Product overview
Access Space is a digital arts and education charity operating as a community makerspace in Sheffield, UK. The organization offers a unified service combining physical digital fabrication facilities (Refab Space with laser cutting, 3D printing, and CNC routing capabilities) with an extensive educational workshop programme covering digital design, coding, and creative technologies. Additional offerings include exhibition spaces hosting the annual 20x20 open submission exhibition, artist residencies (both in-person and online), and research collaboration services supporting academic projects. The core value proposition centers on free/open source software and hardware philosophy, peer learning, and interdisciplinary work across arts and sciences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 800+ visitors attended 20x20 2023 exhibition in one week
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Access Space
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Access Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Access Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of SheffieldcoreSupported 20x20 exhibition and provided venue space at Event Central, Fargate. Sheffield University has been a long-term supporter of Access Space programming.
- Sheffield City CouncilcoreSupported 20x20 exhibition and public arts programming. Partnered with Sheffield University to host Access Space at central Fargate location.
- Lab4Living (Sheffield Hallam University)coreInterdisciplinary research group hosting PhD students. 100-Year Life project funded by Research England. Partnership supports design research in healthcare and creative practices.
- Replicast LtdminorSupported Cis Penance project with technical or production support.
- British CouncilcorePartner in Hello Shenzhen bilateral residency exchange programme connecting makers in UK and China. Partnership with Shenzhen Foundation and Shenzhen Open Innovation Lab.
- FurtherfieldminorCollaboration on Libre Graphics Club project providing workshops for artists, community organisers and activists.
- Common HouseminorCollaboration on Libre Graphics Club project.
- AntiuniversityminorCollaboration on Libre Graphics Club project.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Access Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- FabLab Network: Global network of digital fabrication labs originating from MIT's Center for Bits and Atoms. Access Space's Refab Space FabLab directly references and operates within this international FabLab network ecosystem.
- Barbican Centre: Major UK arts and cultural centre hosting experimental digital arts exhibitions and residencies. Operates at significantly larger scale in the same digital/experimental arts space as Access Space.
Direct peers
- Lighthouse: Brighton-based digital culture agency supporting artists working with technology. Comparable as a UK digital arts and creative technology intermediary organization with similar programming and research orientation.
- Makerversity: London-based community makerspace offering digital fabrication tools, workspace, and creative programmes for makers and artists. Most directly comparable UK peer operating a FabLab-style community model similar to Refab Space.
- Arebyte: London-based digital arts organization hosting exhibitions, residencies, and research around art and technology. Comparable scale and programming model to Access Space's experimental digital arts work.
- SPACE Studios: UK-wide provider of artist studios and creative workspace, already a documented Access Space partner. Comparable as a UK arts infrastructure organization supporting artist practice and production.
- Metal Liverpool: UK arts organization providing artist residencies, production facilities, and community programmes. Comparable as a UK-based artist-led organization combining creative technology, community engagement, and research support.
- Furtherfield: London-based arts organization focused on DIY and open-source digital arts, already a documented collaborator of Access Space on the Libre Graphics Club project. Directly comparable in mission around free/open source creative technology.
- Watershed: Bristol-based cultural and creative technology hub combining cinema, events, and digital innovation programmes. Shares the Access Space model of combining community programming with technology experimentation and academic collaboration.
Others
- Sheffield Hallam University (Lab4Living): Interdisciplinary design research group at Sheffield Hallam University hosting PhD students and design research. Already a documented Access Space partner on the 100-Year Life project — a key institutional collaborator rather than competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Access Space social profiles
Digital presenceAccess Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Access Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Access Space subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Access Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Access Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Access Space
What does Access Space do?
No source content was provided for Access Space; core offerings could not be determined from the input.
Is Access Space a public or private company?
Access Space is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Access Space founded?
Access Space was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Access Space based?
Access Space is headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Access Space make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Charitable Activities & Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are workshop and Course Fees, event Tickets and laser Cutting Services.
Who are Access Space's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are FabLab Network and Barbican Centre. Direct peers are Lighthouse, Makerversity, Arebyte, SPACE Studios, Metal Liverpool, Furtherfield and Watershed. Sheffield Hallam University (Lab4Living) is listed as an others.
Does Access Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Access Space.