About us

Talbot Maker Space is a fully accessible studio and workshop for artists, craftspeople, and those eager to learn to work with materials such as wood, ceramics and more.

This dynamic, creative, and inclusive program is open to all people with a disability. Especially those with high needs. (Support workers may need to be provided in some instances).

From those who would like to meet new people or looking to develop new skills, through to professional artists, the Talbot Maker Space has capacity to support the following activities:

• Woodwork
• Furniture making
• Ceramics
• Casting and mold making
• Collage art
• Sculpture and spatial practice

The Talbot Maker Space can accommodate a broad range of artistic and craft-based interests.

Please get in touch if you have other mediums you’d like to work in, and we’ll do our best to accommodate!

Benefits

The benefits for participants include:

• Providing a fun and safe creative outlet where participants can develop skills
• Increasing activity levels and a sense of wellbeing
• Meeting new people and making friends through working together.
• Inspiring people to be seen as craftspeople and artists by supporting their individual creative expression
• Creating community links and pathways to further learning, work, leisure or a newly established hobby

Feedback from our community

Thanks so much, Maker Space. My client said his first session “Was fantastic!! So fantastic!”, and his wife sent a photo of him with a delighted grin and “Having a wonderful time at Maker Space!”

Through the guided support of Maker Space, my client has resumed previous occupations of working with tools (mechanics and woodwork, etc.) for the first time since developing significant disabilities from several strokes. From an OT perspective, resuming participation in activities that mean so much to him is invaluable for building confidence and supporting progress with other capacity-building goals.

Kate, Occupational Therapist

Community linking opportunities

As well as supported studio time, the Talbot Maker Space can offer a broad range of other community linking opportunities.

We can talk to you about goal setting for both your creative and other interests.

We can provide you, your support coordinator, or other therapists with information on other activities you can do in the community.

These may include:

• exhibition & other public outcomes
• online artist profiles
• retail opportunities
• studio space

But may also include information on (but not limited too):

• accessible camping and beach going
• swimming and hydro pool exercise sessions
• fishing
• wheelchair sports clubs

... the list goes on!

Our current program

Talbot Maker Space

When

Monday and Tuesday morning sessions are available - 9am to 12pm

Where

Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre – 1 Yarra Blvd, Kew

What

We usually start off with a few set projects to help you settle in, and so we can assess your needs.  We also spend this time to set goals, identifying what you would like to get out of the program and the types of objects you would like to make.

Cost

$250 per 3 hour session – full technical support, materials and tools provided.

(NDIS item numbers available on request.)

Contact us

For further information including intake forms please contact:

Michael O’Dwyer
Maker Space Programs Coordinator
Email: maker.space@austin.org.au

Follow us on Instagram: @talbot_maker_space 

Download our program guide