The Foundry Consortium

What The Foundry Consortium does

The Foundry Consortium operates a 21,500 sq ft nonprofit community center at 101 Rogers Street in Cambridge's Kendall Square neighborhood, opened to the public in 2022 after more than a decade of planning. As a public-private partnership between the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and the City of Cambridge — which owns the building — the organization runs fourteen distinct spaces including four maker workshops (Design Lab with 3D printers and laser cutters, Fiber Arts, Jewelry, and Wood), the STEAM Set black-box theater, a dance studio, eight private art studios, a demonstration kitchen, and a community hall. It delivers STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) education and creative exploration programming for Cambridge residents, particularly underrepresented communities, alongside artist residencies and public events.

The organization's product surface is built around four monetization streams: monthly maker space memberships ($50 single workshop to $125 multi-workshop and $500 organizational tiers), art studio rentals at $140/month with multi-month discounts, hourly/transactional space rentals (Food Lab, multi-purpose rooms, performance space at $8–$150/hr; event rentals at $6,000–$8,000 per 6-hour day), and donations/sponsorships funded through a clear philanthropic tiering ($25, $50, $100, $200 levels). The center uses Checkfront for online booking and operates a self-serve website reservation channel, with word-of-mouth, newsletter, and social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube) driving acquisition. Sliding-scale pricing (10–80% discounts tied to self-reported income or organizational revenue) and Card to Culture partnerships with Mass Cultural Council reduce financial barriers for eligible individuals.

Customer segments are diversified across Cambridge community members, artists and makers, youth and families participating in STEAM programming, nonprofits needing affordable office space, and organizations booking events (Broad Institute, Scratch Foundation, Eliot Fisk Guitar Academy, City of Cambridge Mayor's Office). The organization is supported by grants (most notably a $225,000 Cummings Foundation award), individual donations, foundation partners (Cambridge Community Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, Cambridge Arts), and earned media from regional outlets including the Boston Globe, WBUR, WGBH, and Cambridge Day. Funded by philanthropy rather than equity, it has a small core staff of approximately nine members supplemented by interns and fellows, with operational leadership under Executive Director Diana Navarrete-Rackauckas.

Name

The Foundry Consortium

Legal name

The Foundry Consortium

Website

https://cambridgefoundry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Foundry Consortium is a Cambridge-based nonprofit operating a 21,500 sq ft community creative center at 101 Rogers Street in Kendall Square, offering maker spaces, arts and STEAM programs, memberships, artist residencies, and event rentals to local residents, artists, youth, and community organizations through a public-private partnership with the City of Cambridge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts and Maker Center

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA), Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB), Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)

Keywords

• Community maker space
• Arts and STEAM education
• Studio space rentals
• Artist residencies
• Creative facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Rentals: Full building rentals ($6,000-$8,000 for 6-hour day) and small event rentals ($125-$600/hr based on sliding scale). Revenue share model for performances.
2. Maker Space Memberships: Monthly memberships granting daily access to workshops: Single Workshop ($50/month), Multi-Workshop ($125/month), Organizational ($500/month). Sliding scale pricing available.
3. Art Studio Memberships: Monthly rentals at $140/month or discounted multi-month: 3 months ($420), 6 months ($840), 12 months ($1,680). Sliding scale pricing available.
4. Program Rentals: Hourly rentals for spaces including Food Lab, multi-purpose rooms, Design Lab, Fiber Arts, Dance Studio, Community Hall. Commercial and community pricing tiers.
5. Performance Rentals: STEAM Set performance space rental at $75/hr with 15% ticket revenue share for community performances, 30% for commercial.
6. Donations and Sponsorships: Donations support free and reduced-cost access to programs. $25 provides maker space membership, $50 supports space use, $100 provides multi-workshop access, $200 supports 10-week programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Foundry Consortium operates a 21,500 sq ft nonprofit community center in Cambridge, MA offering maker space memberships, art studio rentals, event and performance space rentals, artist residencies, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) programs. The facility includes four maker workshops (Design Lab, Fiber Arts, Jewelry, Wood), private art studios, a demonstration kitchen, a dance studio, and a 150-seat performance venue. Services are offered on a sliding scale pricing model to ensure financial accessibility for community members.

Product overview

The Foundry Consortium operates a 21,500 sq ft community arts and maker center in Cambridge, MA offering space rentals and memberships. The facility includes four maker spaces (Design Lab, Fiber Arts, Jewelry, Wood workshops), an Art Studio with 8 private studios, a Food Lab demonstration kitchen, a Dance Studio, the STEAM Set performance space, Community Hall, and multiple multi-purpose rooms. Services include Maker Space Memberships (single, multi-workshop, or organizational tiers at $50-$500/month), Art Studio Memberships ($140/month base), Program Rentals, Event Rentals (including full building), and Performance Rentals. The organization runs an annual Artist-in-Residence program with Molding and Casting artist positions. All pricing supports a sliding scale based on income eligibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maker Space Memberships Monthly memberships providing daily access to one or all of the four maker space workshops (Design Lab, Fiber Arts, Jewelry, Wood). Single Workshop $50/month, Multi-Workshop $125/month, Organizational $500/month. Includes staff support, free materials, and discounted event tickets. For makers, artists, and community members.
• Art Studio Memberships Monthly rental of private studio spaces (8 studios at 7'x7' each) for 3, 6, or 12 month terms. Base rate $140/month with sliding scale discounts. For visual artists seeking workspace.
• Program Rentals Hourly or weekly rental of rooms for public classes, meetings, workshops, and trainings. Spaces include Food Lab, multi-purpose rooms, Design Lab, Fiber Arts, Jewelry, Wood, Dance Studio, Community Hall, and The Point. For community instructors and program organizers.
• Event Rentals Rental of single or multiple spaces for private or public events including conferences, weddings, art fairs, expos, fundraisers, and galas. Full building rentals ($6,000-$8,000 for 6-hour day) and small event rentals ($125-$600/hr). 21,500 sq ft facility with 400 total capacity. For event organizers and businesses.
• Performance Rentals (STEAM Set) Rental of the STEAM Set performance space for theater, dance, concerts, and other performing arts events with full A/V equipment. Capacity: 150 standing or 115 seated. $75/hr base with sliding scale and revenue share for ticketed events. For performing arts groups and event producers.
• Artist-in-Residence Program Year-long residency program offering Molding Artist and Casting Artist positions. Provides studio space, stipend, community stock materials, and access to maker spaces. Focuses on annual themes with collaborative and individual project creation. For artists seeking immersive creative residencies.
• Sliding Scale Pricing Program Income-based discount program for reservations and memberships based on self-reported organizational revenue or personal income brackets. Discounts range from 10% to 80% for eligible individuals and organizations. Part of Card to Culture program for EBT/WIC/ConnectorCare holders.

Quantifiable outcome

• $25 donation provides one person a month-long membership to one maker space
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and supporting.

• Cambridge Redevelopment AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the community planning process to define project goals and conceptual design. Holds the master lease to operate the site. Key public partner in the public-private partnership that made The Foundry possible.
• City of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwns the building and led the final design and renovation construction. Critical government partner enabling the project.
• Mass Cultural CouncilsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Card to Culture program, collaborating with Department of Transitional Assistance, WIC Nutrition Program, and Massachusetts Health Connector to provide cultural programming discounts.
• Cambridge ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity arts agency supporting creative programming at The Foundry.
• TSNEsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit support organization providing organizational assistance.
• CambridgeSevensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm involved in The Foundry project.
• WT RichsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company involved in The Foundry renovation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Marwen: Chicago nonprofit providing free arts education, college/career programming, and studio access to Chicago youth. Comparable mission-driven model serving underrepresented communities through creative programming and accessible facilities.
• The Crucible: Nonprofit industrial arts and maker facility in Oakland, CA offering classes, studio access, and residencies across metalworking, glass, ceramics, and other disciplines. Closest national peer in operating model and programming mix.
• Artisan's Asylum: Nonprofit makerspace in Somerville, MA operating shared workshop facilities, classes, and community programs. Most direct geographic and conceptual peer — both serve Greater Boston makers with multi-disciplinary workshops.

Emerging players

• ASSEMBLY: Brooklyn-based creative cooperative offering shared studios, fabrication equipment, and event programming. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary maker/creative venue with hybrid membership and event revenue model.

Regional players

• Boston Center for the Arts: Nonprofit arts complex in Boston's South End with studios, performance spaces, and residencies. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary regional arts facility but with a more traditional arts focus (no maker workshops).

Others

• Cambridge Arts Council: City of Cambridge arts agency that supports The Foundry as a partner. Adjacent as a public-sector arts funder/convener rather than a direct operating peer.
• TechShop (legacy model): For-profit makerspace chain (defunct) that historically demonstrated both the demand and the operational fragility of large-scale maker facilities. Relevant as a cautionary precedent for scaling maker-space operations.

Broad incumbents

• Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Established Boston museum with education studios and community engagement programs. Comparable as a cultural/educational institution with hands-on programming (one staff member previously worked there) but operates at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/FoundryCamb
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@cambridgefoundry
• Facebookfacebook.com/CambridgeFoundry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundry-consortium
• Instagraminstagram.com/cambridgefoundry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Foundry Consortium