Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Holcomb.
Hi Jamie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Makery actually began as a show-stopping exhibit at the heart of our museum back when we were still known as Kidzu and located inside University Place Mall in Chapel Hill. It quickly became one of the most loved and visited parts of the museum. We saw firsthand how deeply children and families connected with hands-on making, creativity, and problem-solving. We recognized a real need for more robust makerspace education in our community. That’s what inspired us to grow the concept beyond an exhibit and evolve it into something bigger. The Makery is now a dedicated space that brings STEM, art, design, and collaboration together in exciting, accessible ways for learners of all ages.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all—we actually experienced a devastating flood in August of 2024 that damaged our museum beyond repair. It was an incredibly difficult moment, but it also became a turning point. Bringing The Makery to RTP was a direct result of that event. Instead of seeing the flood as a setback, we chose to view it as a push to grow and expand beyond Chapel Hill. It gave us the opportunity to reimagine what The Makery could be and to bring hands-on learning and creativity to an even broader community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are proud to be part of the broader vision of the North Carolina Children’s Museum, a statewide initiative committed to ensuring that every child in North Carolina has access to enriching, hands-on learning experiences, no matter where they live. The Makery is one of our flagship spaces, located at Boxyard RTP, where creativity, STEM, art, and collaboration come to life. It’s a place where kids can explore, invent, tinker, and imagine, whether they’re on a school field trip, spending the day with family, or attending one of our community programs.
What sets us apart is our belief that learning should be joyful, accessible, and rooted in real-world exploration. That’s why we’ve gone beyond traditional museum walls. From The Makery to our See. Try. Fly. Mobile Museum, we’re building a network of access points across the state—bringing the museum experience directly to communities that may not have one nearby.
We’re most proud of our commitment to innovation and impact. Whether a child visits The Makery, engages with our traveling exhibits, or participates in one of our outreach programs, they walk away feeling empowered to explore, ask questions, and dream big.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
We all take big and small risks everyday – getting in a car, deciding to go on a date with someone new, taking a new job, or trying a new process. Risk taking is a major part of daily life and one of the most important parts of the learning process– as is failure. We learn from mistakes along the way, make adjustments, and do it all better next time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ncchildrensmuseum.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themakeryrtp/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572604470569
