Take a moment and imagine that you or one of your friends has this burning desire to take an idea to the next level. Building it to make it a reality requires more skill, education, and experience than you may have. Who can you turn to for help? Where can you go to find an accepting environment and supportive community that will share their knowledge and skill sets with you to produce your work?
Look no further than The Generator at its hugely expanded home in the new and reimagined Oddie District in metro Reno/Sparks.
The Generator was built in 2013 to be a collection of people, talents, and tools. Anyone with a viable idea now had a home to create large-scale art and build a community. Artists taught carpenters how to paint. Carpenters taught makers how to build. And makers taught artists how to tinker.
The Generator’s first major build in the space was the Embrace sculpture for Burning Man. This annual event continues to bring many volunteers together to create an art family.
Today, The Generator has gone beyond its roots and developed into a multigenerational community art hub for young and old where everyone can join together to create amazing projects. It’s a one-of-a-kind place where you can learn new skills and grow as an individual.
Certainly, Reno’s proximity to Burning Man is a major factor in the location of The Generator. But with more art classes, workshops, community outreach efforts, and collaborations, Reno has become an arts destination and an excellent place for working artists to live.
How does it all work for that individual or group wanting to get their project off the ground? The Generator has you covered. To start, The Generator has five staff members and over 150 working artist members. They have a large group of volunteers that support the work done onsite in the space. All lend a hand, from teaching classes to representing The Generator at outreach events. Every one of their community members brings a different skill set to the table. The Generator has textile masters, woodworkers, metalworkers, laser cutting experts, and tech professionals on hand.
Think of The Generator as an art gym where people come together to share their knowledge and support one another. The new expanded space in the Oddie District is 70,000 square feet with an abundance of tools and equipment where you can make almost anything your heart desires. The Generator is where your project idea can be more than a dream or the desire you’ve had for years. It can become real with a little help from your fellow artist friends!
What many are not aware of is that The Generator has helped create hundreds of sculptures and projects. One of the most well-known sculptures is the Space Whale which is now permanently in Believe Plaza. The Space Whale has become a Reno icon. The Generator is incredibly proud to have such a magical piece created in its space and now located in such a prominent location in Reno.
Aside from supporting 173 local artists in 2021, The Generator also hosted fun events like Art on Tap and the Bell Street Grand Opening. They participated in special events with their community partners like Animarte, Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality, High Desert Montessori School, Black Wall Street Sparks, and Northern Nevada Pride, to name just a few.
Are there challenges ahead for The Generator? The answer is yes, despite its new location on Oddie Blvd. Funding in our current economic environment is always a continuing challenge. More often than desired, space requirements grow much faster than the staff and resources can provide. As the metro Reno/Sparks population increases, the demand for The Generator’s space and tools also increases. Donations and support from the greater community are welcomed. Finally, the staff works hard to apply for all available grants.
What are the two questions that most people ask about The Generator? It’s how many tools the space has and how to become a member. The answer to the first question is too many to count. The best way to find the answer to the second question is to drop by their location or visit the website at TheRenoGenerator.com.
What is the one question that The Generator staff wishes people would ask them more often? It’s how to get involved. They are always looking for more volunteers and donations to expand their services.
The Generator is truly a place where inspiration and creativity live.
NCET Tech Wednesday, Sept. 14, is your opportunity to learn more about The Generator and its awesome spaces to facilitate art projects and community creations.
Sign up early for The Generator’s onsite presentation tour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and networking from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information at NCET.org.
Bill Leonard is VP of Communications at NCET and a freelance copywriter of lead-generating customer case studies, conversion-driven web and sales copy, success stories, and white papers. Connect with Bill at linkedin.com/in/billleonardusa. NCET produces education and networking events to help people explore business and technology.
