OUR MISSION
TO PURCHASE A PROPERTY
The Austin School of Furniture Foundation, in collaboration with Splinter Group, Toolmarks, and other furniture making organizations, is on a mission to secure a permanent home for our woodworking community. This initiative aims to foster the growth of furniture making in Austin and prevent the disbanding of our talented artisans and businesses.
Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page if you are interested in supporting this project.
ABOUT
US
Austin School of Furniture Foundation - Est. 2018
Austin School of Furniture Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to nurturing the craft of woodworking and furniture making through education – Hands-on classes, events, educational resources, scholarships are all used to build a vibrant community of skilled woodworkers and craftspeople.
ASFF will act as the property owner and will sub-lease to local furniture and woodworking orgnizations.
Splinter Group - Est. 1998
Since 1998, the mission of the Splinter Group has been to provide affordable, quality workshop space to craftspeople in Austin, Texas. SG is a hands-on maker’s space for full-time professional artisans. SG members produce functional designs in wood, metal, ceramics, and glass. SG Tenants are a community who share a devotion to craft and a willingness to act together. Splinter Group believes that when technical knowledge, creative vision, and professional experience are exchanged with one another, everyone flourishes together.
Toolmarks - Est. 2016
Toolmarks is a local group of craftspeople dedicated to creating a community of craft by sharing resources, tools and promoting work through excellent craftsmanship and relevant designs. ToolMarks was established in 2016 to make creating handmade wares easier and take some of the load off of artisans. TM strives to be a major part of the woodworking community and to be kind to the planet by being conscious about the products and processes they implement.
OUR
PURPOSE
Rising rents and overhead costs are threatening the viability of our current properties. Many of these spaces will soon become unaffordable or unavailable, endangering the future of Austin’s woodworking community. To secure the livelihoods of our craftspeople and to prevent the loss of our vibrant woodworking community, we need a long-term solution—a property we can call our own.
WHAT
WE
NEED
We are seeking support from our community to find connections and benefactors passionate about supporting the arts and crafts in Austin. These are the 4 main areas where we will need assistance.
Connections & Introductions
Do you know the movers and shakers in town? Do you have connections with local organizations that could help?
Financial Support & Donations
Are you able to financial support this project? Do you have something to donate that might assist us?
A Property To Call Home
Do you own a property or land that might be a good fit for us?
Professional Services
Are you a developer, attorney, real estate agent or other professional that can help?
BENEFITS OF THE SPACE
01.
SUSTAINABILITY
Prevent the closure and exodus of Austin’s woodworking and furniture-making community.
02.
AFFORDABILITY
Establish a secure, affordable workspace for the local industry for an extended period of time.
03.
TRAINING
Continued employment and training of woodworking industry workforce.
04.
GROWTH & SUPPORT
An epicenter for the community meet, learn, grow and find resources.
05.
EVENTS & Gallery
Provide a gallery to showcase artisans and a place to host furniture related events.
06.
COMMUNITY
Foster a central space for designers and artists to collaborate and grow.
