For Makers. By Makers.
Initiated by White Brick Creative Studio and Cebu Making Space supported by DTI Region VII, Makers of Midtown is a non-profit organization that unites all makers, crafters, and creative businesses in Cebu’s Midtown Area. The goal of the organization is to revitalize the area, which focuses on Juana Osmeña, Ramos St., and Gen. Maxilom Ave., transform it into a creative zone, nurture the creative community, and become Cebu’s Maker District.
Makers of Midtown
Photo by Niko Blanco
Makers of Midtown was officially launched in a Mixer event held last July 15, 2023 at Cebu Making Space, 3F Mango Square Mall with different businesses in attendance including Laraw Luna Studio, Ahka Sari Sari Space, Strap, 22 Tango Records, Room 11, SGoons Tattoo, EJC Atelier, Mango Square Mall, Bintana Café, Drawingboard Inc., UAP District C1, SWU Phinma, The Good Cup Coffee, and Ann Savage Tattoo Shop. Other businesses expressed their interest in joining but could not attend the event.
Jude Crisostomo of White Brick
Photos by Niko Blanco
Jude Crisostomo, White Brick Managing Director and the initiator of Makers of Midtown welcomed everyone to the Mixer and shared the ultimate vision of the movement including the main reason for organizing the community, “Unlike other planned developments for a creative district, we are already situated in the same area. This makes it easier to promote the community since we only need to enhance visibility and highlight our offerings. We are already here,”.
Photos by Niko Blanco
One of the goals of Makers of Midtown is to mount activities all-year round to keep the maker district active. All members are encouraged to organize pocket events and mount projects within their area or within the zone. Makers of Midtown will help promote all the members and their activities in order to reach a wider audience and market and create a bigger impact to the creative community. As an organization, Makers of Midtown will be able to gain access to support from public and private entities for grants that will help fund more projects in the community.
Photos by Niko Blanco
One thing that Cebuanos can look forward to is the Made in Midtown Festival, which will initially be an annual series of events that aim to highlight the various creative spaces around Cebu City’s midtown area. In the first ever Made in Midtown Festival, people can enjoy open houses, workshops, makers’ market, live entertainment, mural painting, bazaars, exhibits and more. There will be a map provided, so people can walk around and check out the places at their own time and pace.
The Midtown Area will eventually become a destination for tourists, students, and creative enthusiasts, shining the spotlight on all the makers within the community. Watch out for news on upcoming activities and events by following @makersofmidtown on Facebook and Instagram.