As businesses and organizations open back up in the wake of the pandemic, the KCI is thrilled to announce the reopening of one of its greatest in-person assets: the Makerspace. Located in the lower floor of the KCI building on the Foothill College campus, the state-of-the-art makerspace offers students and community members the opportunity to work with professional-grade equipment such as laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines, vinyl cutters, and more.

Back in July 2021, the Makerspace opened three days per week by appointment for select groups of participants who are earning their Makerspace Coordinator Certificate through the KCI SPACE program. These participants are our top priority, as this will be their first time being able to access this critical equipment in the program. In late July, access expanded to include the newest cohort of the program, Dragonfly. This cohort is the first fully-in person group to complete the program since the summer of 2019.

The KCI has been working diligently with Foothill College and Santa Clara County to meet changing recommendations and mandates and to ensure that all reopening plans are safe, equitable, and accountable. Social distancing and disease mitigation protocols are in place, and all staff and employees will be fully vaccinated before returning to the space.

In Fall 2021, the KCI is looking forward to expanding its in-person operations to include follow-up classes for program cohorts, general makerspace use, and special events, including celebrating the organization’s 20-year anniversary.