About Maker Faire Twin Tiers

Empire State Maker Faire

In 2020, COVID-19 made it impossible to host our annual in-person maker faire. In its place, we have teamed up with regional faires across New York state to create a virtual interactive experience! Empire State Maker Faire 2020 will share the creative work and technical know-how of all kinds of makers who share a passion for making. The event will feature demonstrations, performances and how-to workshops, and an online project showcase. Learn more.

What is a Maker Faire?

A Maker Faire is an event that celebrates arts, crafts, performance, engineering, science projects and the DIY (do-it-yourself) spirit. At Maker Faire Twin Tiers, local artists, professors, craftspeople, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, tech clubs, engineers, students, and local businesses come together to show what they make. Local “makers” are invited to share what they have learned while practicing the disciplines they are passionate about. Our goal is to embolden community members of all ages to tap into their own creativity by showcasing local makers and to encourage them to go forward to create something new or learn a new art form, hobby, or craft.

Maker Faire Twin Tiers is brought to you by a partnership between Chemung County Library District, SUNY Corning Community College, and Southeast Steuben County Library and The Corning Museum of Glass, with support from Southern Tier Library System.

Event History

  • The first CCLD Maker Expo was held at the Steele Memorial Library in 2014 and had approximately 30 makers while drawing 900 attendees.
  • The second year the expo was expanded to 48 Exhibitors that drew over 1100 attendees, it would also be the year we added the Power Tool Drag Race. Attendees transformed power tools into drag racing machines, and would then compete against one another by racing them. The Power Tool Drag Race quickly became a fan-favorite and a staple of the event.
  • In the third year the event had out-grown the Steele Library. Makers and their exhibits could be found both inside and outside of the building, bustling with attendees.
  • In 2017 the event became an official Mini Maker Faire!  Chemung County Library District and SUNY Corning Community College partnered to plan the event and move it to the Arnot Mall, which gave us the opportunity to expand to allow more Makers and attendees.
  • The 2018 Twin Tiers Mini Maker Faire became a partnership between Chemung County Library District, SUNY Corning Community College, Southeast Steuben County Library, and Southern Tier Library System and attracted approximately 2000 attendees.
  • Our 2019 event was held at SUNY Corning Community College in Corning, NY.

Having the ability to showcase local Makers that will embolden the community to tap into their own creativity is something we love. It’s our hope that you will join us in discovering something new and exciting, something which might inspire you!

Maker Faire originated in 2006 in the San Francisco Bay Area as a project of the editors of Make: magazine.  It has since grown into a significant worldwide network of both flagship and independently-produced events.  Read more on Maker Faire history, the Maker Movement, as well as how to start a Maker Faire or a School Maker Faire where you live.