i3 Detroit is a collaborative environment for people to explore the balance between technology, art and culture. We feel the best way to create this environment is to bring like-minded people together that share a common passion for technology, art and culture.

We are a community resource, hosting various classes including but not limited to electronics, programming, crafts, lock-picking and all other skills that members or others are willing to share. We want to create an environment that promotes learning in a fun non-traditional format.

We built a 100% electric Cupcake Car in the Motor City...and Royal Oak asked us to put it in the Holiday Parade. It was also featured in Metro Times. We hosted two FIRST Robotics teams this winter. We teach classes for the community on everything from electronics to screen printing to lock picking. We are going to be a part of Maker Faire 2010. Our current space has super tools that we will only be adding to. We have a totally open guest policy. And our members, well, they are awesomely talented.

We don't have a paid staff, so we don't have normal hours. Our space is open any time there's a member in it. To communicate this to the world, we constructed a twitterbot. This allows any member to signal when the space is open for guests.

What does i3 stand for: Imagine, Innovate & Inspire

How we finance the project:

We finance the project through Membership fees, Sponsorships, Fundraisers and Donations. All proceeds will go towards paying the rent on our space for collaboration, tools, parts and space renovations. All financial decisions are voted on by its members.

Purpose:

* Build and maintain physical spaces suitable for technical, art and social collaboration.
* Collaborate on all forms of technology, art and culture in new and interesting ways.
* Apply the results of its work to specific cultural, charitable and scientific causes.
* Freely share its research and discoveries, using what is learned to teach others.
* Recruit and develop talented members dedicated to these purposes.

Resources and tools are available to our members and supporters:

Woodworking – Band saw, table saw, router table, scroll saw, drill press, hand tools, nail guns, planer, jointer, miter saw, belt sander, disc sander, lots of clamps.

Metalworking – Table top lathe, drill press, table top mill, layout tools, gauges and indicators, sheet metal brake/shear, angle grinder, bench grinder, oxyacetylene welder, anvil.

Electronics – analog and digital oscilloscopes, function generators, various power supplies, breadboards, soldering and desoldering stations, circuit board etching and plating supplies, broad stock of components.

Crafting - Cricut cutting machine, Cuttlebug embosser, Yudu silk screen machine, industrial sewing machine, vinyl cutter, basic supplies and tools.

Chemistry Lab – Scales, hot plates and stirrers, various (safe) chemicals, beakers, pipettes, Kjeldahl bulbs, various glass jars and bottles, water traps, milligram balance, and much more.

Podcast Studio – 4 quality microphones, pop screens, 1 Mackie mixing board, recording software, compressors, gates and limiters, per-channel monitor headphones.

Library and Lounge – Two comfy couches, semi-secluded space, reference books on any subject, ideal atmosphere for programming or collaboration.