Makers Paradise
Makers Paradise is a nonprofit arts organization operating dual gallery and community maker spaces in Berkeley, CA and Reno, NV, delivering art and music therapy, studio rentals, classes, and exhibitions for veterans, seniors, disabled individuals, and emerging artists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Makers Paradise does
Makers Paradise is a nonprofit arts organization founded in April 2019 in Berkeley, CA, by Lawrence Silva, Tom Franco, and Christopher Flynn, operating dual gallery and community maker spaces in Berkeley (1790 Shattuck Avenue) and Reno, NV (Reno Public Market). The organization delivers gallery representation, studio rentals, art classes and workshops, and art/music therapy programs targeting underserved populations — veterans with PTSD, seniors with memory loss, individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, and emerging artists — through a partnership network that includes Pacific Coast Community Services, Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, Arts for All Nevada, Ability Now, and KT Grace Foundation. Its product portfolio includes two e-commerce art shops (Shop Bay Area Art and Shop Reno Art) representing 20+ artists with price points from $6 digital cards to $15,000+ original paintings, weekly classes ($0-$15), fully rented Reno studios, the Paradise Press newsletter, and the Makers Paradise Band.
The business model is hybrid nonprofit: earned revenue from art sales (transaction fees), studio rentals (recurring), and classes (pay-as-you-go), supplemented by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Nevada Arts Council plus donations and partner-led fundraising (notably for the Veterans Art Garden project at NNSVH). GTM is community-led, leveraging partnerships with healthcare facilities, senior living communities, veteran organizations, and schools to reach populations that commercial galleries do not serve, reinforced by social media, events, and the Paradise Press newsletter. There is no proprietary technology platform; the organization runs on a Squarespace website and traditional program delivery. Funding signals indicate active grant pursuit, while the planned Berkeley reopening in February 2025 (post-earthquake retrofitting and ADA renovations) and 2025 expansion into children's programming with Reno school districts are the principal near-term growth catalysts.
Makers Paradise firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Makers Paradise
- Legal name
- Makers Paradise
- Website
- https://makersparadise.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Makers Paradise is a nonprofit arts organization operating dual gallery and community maker spaces in Berkeley, CA and Reno, NV, delivering art and music therapy, studio rentals, classes, and exhibitions for veterans, seniors, disabled individuals, and emerging artists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Makers Paradise industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Arts Services
- NAICS
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Art Dealers (459920)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises (BPAGALAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit) (THAJADAH), Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)
Keywords
Where Makers Paradise is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Makers Paradise business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Art Sales: Makers Paradise sells artwork through its online shops (Shop Bay Area Art and Shop Reno Art), representing local artists including emerging artists, disabled artists, and veteran artists. Artwork ranges from $6 digital cards to $15,000+ original paintings.
- Studio Rentals: The organization offers individual and group studio space for rent at reasonable prices. Studios are fully rented in Reno location, contributing to the diverse artist community.
- Art Classes and Workshops: Weekly art classes offered at various price points ($10-$15 for drawing sessions, free inclusive classes). Programs include live model drawing, portrait sessions, and specialized workshops.
- Grants and Donations: As a nonprofit, Makers Paradise relies heavily on grants and donations. The organization receives support from Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and conducts fundraising activities for specific projects like the Veterans Art Garden.
- Music Sales: Sale of music recordings including the Makers Paradise Band's track 'Everybody Rise Up!' with all proceeds supporting programs for emerging and disabled artists.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Art Classes - Live Model Drawing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Art Classes - Portrait Sessions |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Inclusive Art Classes - Weekly Wonders |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Original Artwork |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Jewelry Items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Candles |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Makers Paradise product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Makers Paradise operates community-driven art galleries and maker spaces in Berkeley, CA and Reno, NV, offering gallery exhibitions, studio rentals, art classes and workshops, and therapeutic art and music programs. The organization runs online art shops selling works by represented artists and delivers partnership-based art and music therapy programs to veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities at partner facilities.
Product overview
Makers Paradise is a nonprofit organization operating as a dual-location art gallery and community maker space, with locations in Berkeley, CA (opened April 2019) and Reno, NV (opened mid-2022). The organization offers a unified portfolio of services centered on fostering creativity and supporting emerging artists. Core offerings include physical gallery spaces with rotating monthly exhibitions, studio rental programs providing workspace for artists, and structured art and music therapy programs serving veterans, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and justice-impacted populations. The organization maintains two retail channels: the Berkeley Art Shop featuring Bay Area artists and the Reno Art Shop featuring Northern Nevada artists. Paradise Press serves as the organization's publication vehicle, while the Makers Paradise Band represents its music initiative. The organization also manages the Veterans Art Garden project at the Northern Nevada State Veterans Home, featuring outdoor art installations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Makers Paradise Art Gallery (Berkeley) Physical art gallery space in Berkeley, CA exhibiting and selling works by emerging local artists, with rotating exhibitions and an on-site art shop.
- Makers Paradise Reno Gallery Second gallery location in Reno, NV featuring artwork exhibitions and online shop dedicated to Reno-area artists and community programming.
- Studio Rentals Rentable studio spaces for artists to work in, located within the Berkeley and Reno facilities on a recurring monthly basis.
- Art Classes and Workshops Scheduled art classes and workshops for community members, including inclusive programming for people with disabilities.
- Art Therapy Programs Therapeutic art programming delivered at partner facilities for veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
- Music Therapy Programs Therapeutic music programming delivered at partner facilities for veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, in conjunction with the Makers Paradise Band.
- Veterans Art Garden Community art garden project dedicated to veterans, providing outdoor art-making space and programming.
- Shop Bay Area Art (Online Store) Online retail store selling artwork and goods from artists represented through the Berkeley gallery.
- Shop Reno Art (Online Store) Online retail store selling artwork and goods from artists represented through the Reno gallery.
Quantifiable outcome
- Art studios fully rented in Reno location
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Makers Paradise
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Makers Paradise technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Makers Paradise partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Pacific Coast Community Services (PCCS)corePCCS is a key partner providing job coaching and art/music therapy programs for seniors and disabled individuals. Makers Paradise and PCCS work together to deliver programming at senior facilities. Lawrence Silva serves as both Director of Makers Paradise and Chief Operating Officer of PCCS, creating deep operational integration.
- Northern Nevada State Veterans Home (NNSVH)coreMakers Paradise serves as strategic partner for the Veterans Art Garden project at NNSVH in Sparks, Nevada. The partnership involves promoting, fundraising, and assisting with project development including art criteria, artist agreements, and recruitment.
- David J. Drakulich (DJD) Art Foundation for Freedom of ExpressionminorFounded by Joe and Tina Drakulich in honor of their son David, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan. The foundation provides arts, humanities, and recreation programming to veterans and the military-connected community. Makers Paradise is referenced as a partner organization providing access to art programs.
- Arts for All NevadacorePartner organization hosting Weekly Wonders, a FREE inclusive art class for teens and adults with intellectual disabilities every Friday at Makers Paradise Reno. Supplies provided and no pre-registration required.
- Katie Grace Foundation (KT Grace Foundation)coreEstablished in memory of Katie Weingartner, the foundation has partnered with Makers Paradise Reno to bring art programs to children in the Reno community. 2025 collaboration introduces art classes and workshops designed for foster youth, emerging young artists, and children from diverse backgrounds. Planning children's art classes with local school districts through grant funding.
- Ability Now (Oakland, CA)minorMakers Paradise continues to provide art therapy programs at Ability Now in Oakland, CA, serving individuals with disabilities in the Bay Area community.
- Local School Districts (Reno)minorMakers Paradise and KT Grace Foundation are planning to develop children's art classes with local school districts and other nonprofit organizations in 2025 through grant funding that will allow underserved and foster youth to benefit from various art programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Makers Paradise competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Creative Growth Art Center: Oakland-based nonprofit art center and gallery representing artists with developmental disabilities, offering studio space, exhibitions, and sales — closely parallels Makers Paradise's Bay Area disability-inclusion model.
- Creativity Explored: San Francisco nonprofit gallery and studio program for artists with developmental disabilities. Operates a similar nonprofit gallery-with-supported-studio model serving disability communities in the Bay Area.
- Headlands Center for the Arts: Marin County, CA nonprofit providing artist residencies, exhibitions, and public programs. Comparable Northern California nonprofit arts organization combining studio access, exhibitions, and community engagement.
- Museum of Craft and Design: San Francisco nonprofit museum focused on craft and design exhibitions, education programming, and community engagement — comparable Bay Area nonprofit cultural-institution model with retail and class offerings.
- Veterans Art Center: Los Angeles nonprofit offering veteran-focused art therapy, classes, and exhibitions. Most direct mission-overlap with Makers Paradise's veteran-art programming and PTSD/arts-healing initiatives.
- SOMArts Cultural Center: San Francisco nonprofit arts venue hosting exhibitions, cultural events, and community programming. Comparable nonprofit, multi-program community arts model with artist-inclusion focus.
- NIAD Art Center: Richmond, CA nonprofit art center providing studio and gallery services to artists with disabilities. Highly comparable mission, Bay Area geography, and inclusive-studio-plus-gallery business model.
- Houston Center for Contemporary Craft: Houston-based nonprofit gallery and studio facility supporting craft artists through exhibitions, residencies, and sales. Comparable nonprofit gallery-plus-studio-rentals model applied to a craft discipline.
Emerging players
- National Veterans Memorial and Museum: Columbus, OH-based veterans-focused cultural institution with exhibits and programming that intersects with Makers Paradise's Veterans Art Garden and veteran therapeutic-arts initiatives.
Broad incumbents
- Performa: New York-based nonprofit producing organization for visual and performing arts. Comparable nonprofit model producing multi-disciplinary art programming, though at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Makers Paradise social profiles
Digital presenceMakers Paradise financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Makers Paradise leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Makers Paradise funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Makers Paradise 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 Makers Paradise
What does Makers Paradise do?
Makers Paradise operates community-driven art galleries and maker spaces in Berkeley, CA and Reno, NV, offering gallery exhibitions, studio rentals, art classes and workshops, and therapeutic art and music programs. The organization runs online art shops selling works by represented artists and delivers partnership-based art and music therapy programs to veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities at partner facilities.
Is Makers Paradise a public or private company?
Makers Paradise is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Makers Paradise founded?
Makers Paradise was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Makers Paradise based?
Makers Paradise is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Makers Paradise make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Art Sales are the primary driver. The others are studio Rentals, art Classes and Workshops, grants and Donations and music Sales.
Who are Makers Paradise's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Creative Growth Art Center, Creativity Explored, Headlands Center for the Arts, Museum of Craft and Design, Veterans Art Center, SOMArts Cultural Center, NIAD Art Center and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. National Veterans Memorial and Museum is listed as an emerging player. Performa is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Makers Paradise have an API?
No public API is recorded for Makers Paradise.
What industry is Makers Paradise in?
Makers Paradise's product category is Community Arts Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAO, Community Arts, Culture & Creative Placemaking Enterprises, with a secondary code of THAJADAH, Art Galleries & Exhibition Spaces (Commercial & Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 7121 and its SIC code is 7990.