The Cortez-based nonprofit Fundamental Needs is raising money to construct the first-ever recording studio in the city in the Cortez Makerspace, a creative workplace on Main Street.
Executive Director Justice Ramos said he intends for it to be used by local musicians and podcasters as well as those recording audiobooks.
“We already have a massive sound board and then we've got some musical equipment that we're going to put down there,” Ramos said. “We need to soundproof it and raise a little bit of money. So I'm hoping we can get the recording studio up and running in the next couple of months, definitely before the end of the year.”
Friday kicks off the fundraising push with an open jam session at 1 p.m., a paint and sip through the afternoon and a live music performance from the Camino Cowboys from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Makerspace at 209 W. Main St. A ticket to watch the music is $10 and a spot in the paint and sip is $40.
The money will go toward a fund for the construction of the recording studio as well as the remainder of the construction of the space’s wood shop.
“Part of the problem with rural communities is we don't have the resources to help our community skill build and to create pathways to either higher education or the workforce,” Ramos said. “The goal of the Makerspace is basically to keep people here, give them the resources they need to be able to stay here.”
Friday’s event will contribute to the $40,000 to $60,000 fundraising goal alongside an innovation challenge opened to the community on Tuesday with registration available until Sept. 20.
“We are basically making a competition for local makers in the area,” Ramos said. “It involves quite a bit of this whole Four Corners area.”
Robotics engineers, designers, visual artists, sculptors, coders and other innovators within 150 miles of the Four Corners area can register into one of 11 categories of creative work for a chance to win up to $5,000 and additional prizes. Entry is free for children, $50 for the hobbyist division and $200 for the open division.
Participants can begin crafting on Aug. 17 with the Makerspace available to them weekly. Three rounds of voting commencing Sept. 21 determine the category winners and overall winner. Participants will showcase their work on awards night on Oct. 23, which will be a free event with live music.
Proceeds from the entry fees will go toward the Makerspace’s funding campaign. Those interested in registering for the competition can visit fundamentalneeds.net/challenge.
“We're just trying to bump up what we can offer for the community. We already have laser cutters and 3D printers and VR,” Ramos said. “We've got pottery, we've got sewing, we've got all sorts of stuff.”
Ramos anticipates that a music recording studio would be well used by Four Corners artists.
“There are a lot of local musicians in the area, so (we’re) just trying to support what people need,” Ramos said.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
