Buy (and Protect) Local or Bye Local: The Heurich Urban Manufacturing Incubator’s Commitment to Artisan Makers in DC

By Alex Fraioli, Director of the Urban Manufacturing Incubator

Artisan Makers are the smallest scale of manufacturing businesses. They are people who use a creative process to turn raw materials into a finished product for sale in the retail market, but often have no additional employees. Maker businesses offer flexibility for people who work multiple jobs, have limited access to participation in the workforce, and/or cannot work full-time outside of their home. 

Makers need a community committed to their growth. Over the last few years, we’ve seen the artisan maker industry explode; many artisans are running businesses they started at home during the pandemic, while others are looking for freedom from a traditional work schedule, and others are using their passion to generate extra income as inflation rates grew. As such those looking to support makers expanded their programs & events. With growth comes opportunity – and also predatory practices.

In response to the lessons the museum has learned through its own actions, as well as the examples (good and bad) that we have seen in the marketplace, we are proud to publish a “Maker Bill of Rights,” which outlines how we will work with makers in all of our programming. By publishing this document, the museum hopes to build trust with the makers we work with and to inspire others who work with makers to take ethical approaches to their maker partnerships. 

Incubator Programs:

The mission of the Heurich Urban Manufacturing Incubator is to provide economic opportunities to our local small-scale manufacturing communities through: appropriate interventions in business life cycles, collective action, and social enterprises. 

Lifecycle Interventions: In order for local manufacturing businesses to thrive, they need pathways to running a sustainable business. The museum’s long standing relationship with artisan makers through our Christmas Markt has allowed the Incubator staff to identify the needs of these businesses that have not been met in the DC marketplace: 

• Accessible Markets: Over the last three years we grew our Markt program to include regular no-cost “Mini Markts” for new and beginner businesses looking to gain experience. For the 13th year, Heurich Christmas Markt - DC’s only multi-day market with all local makers - will happen in early December and solely serve intermediate businesses. 

• Revenue Streams: “Maker-Led Workshops” give businesses looking to diversify their revenue streams a platform to develop and test their workshops. 

• Mentorship: New this year, our pilot “Maker Fellowship” will help two makers evolve out of their beginner phases. Makers will “graduate” with a free booth at the 13th annual Heurich Christmas Markt!

As part of our artisan maker programming - markts, workshops, and fellowship - businesses self select which lifecycle describes their current operations. Lifecycles are meant to identify areas for growth and support, but do not necessarily mean businesses will follow this trajectory Oftentimes maker businesses are temporary and are used as a financial jumping off point for individuals. 

Collective Action: Despite the growing number of manufacturing businesses in and around DC, many of which are affiliated with the Makers’ Guilds, no other organizations exist to support small-scale manufacturers on the individual and collective levels. The Guild, however, provides its members the tools and structure for both individual growth and positive systemic change. By sharing knowledge and resources with each other, businesses are better equipped to enter a competitive market. This collaboration leads to a business’s success and increases their bandwidth for community organizing in the pursuit of governmental and retail policies that allow the entire industry to flourish. The Incubator founded and currently professionally manages the DC Makers’ Guild. Museum CEO, Kim Bender, and Incubator Director, Alex Fraioli, serve as the Executive Director and Assistant Director of both organizations. 

Social Enterprises: In order to continue the museum’s dual mission of labor-focused public history education and public service, we have developed a robust set of social enterprises. Our local craft beverage biergarten - 1921, studio spaces for creative entrepreneurs - Brewmaster Studios, our and our historically accurate beverage revivals, Senate Beer (with Right Proper Brewing Co.) and Liberty Apple Cider (with ANXO cidery) are all key to creating an accessible way for public to engage with their local historic and modern manufacturing communities.

Based in Our Legacy: 

The local small-scale manufacturing community in DC is composed of two groups: Artisan Makers + Craft Beverage Producers. These groups are directly related to Heurich history - the historic mansion was built and decorated by local craftspeople from 1892-1894 and the Chr. Heurich Brewing Co. (1872-1956) produced DC’s hometown beer brand for over 80 years.

Incubator programs are based on the museum’s core belief that museums should be relevant to their modern communities and are a vehicle to engage with the city we call home, DC!