Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub

01/13/2026

We need your input! This is the moment where possibility turns into action.

Over the past several weeks, Scott Shellabarger has been working behind the scenes - building financial models, researching similar maker spaces, documenting the Hub’s history, shaping governance ideas, and having thoughtful, questioning conversations with many of you across the community.

All of that work points to one encouraging conclusion:
This can work ->>> if we build it together.

The Hub was never meant to belong to one person. Its future depends on a community - a collaboration willing to share ideas, energy, skills, and stewardship.

If you’ve ever taught a class, made something here, volunteered, attended an event, or simply believed the Hub mattered, your voice is part of what comes next.

Take a look at the materials at savethehub.org. Share your thoughts - big ideas, honest questions, constructive feedback. And - please pass this along to anyone who would like to be part of the conversation.

If you believe the Hub can thrive again as a community-driven asset, now is the time to say so. Show up. Add your voice!

Community Meeting
Thursday, Jan 15 | 6 PM
The Sanctuary, Argenta (across from Flyway Brewing)
Learn more at SaveTheHub.org
Contact Scott at
Scott Shellabarger
[email protected]

01/12/2026

Add your voice to the conversation! Join us for a community meeting this Thursday, January 15th, at 6 pm at The Sanctuary in Argenta (across the corner from Flyway).

Scott Shellabarger, an original thought leader and founder of the Hub, part of the Arkansas Venture Center launch, and a volunteer of St. Joseph Center, is heading up this conversation. The goal of this meeting is to gather people willing to Save the Hub, people, to make it happen! We need Makers and Artists ready to teach, Members ready to commit, Volunteers ready to help with setup and operations, and individuals open to sharing diverse ideas!

Will you be there?
The Sanctuary: 201 W. 4th St., NLR
Thurs. Jan. 15th, 6 pm.

Learn more at savethehub.org

12/11/2025

We want to share an important update about the Innovation Hub.

On December 10, we were notified that we must fully vacate the building by December 31. Because we have just fourteen working days to safely inventory, pack, and move all equipment and materials, the Hub’s final day open to the public will be Friday, December 12. All scheduled events are ending on Thursday, December 11.

We know this news is sudden, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through this transition. Our team is still determining where all equipment and resources will go next, and we will share confirmed updates as soon as we are able.

Thank you to every member, artist, maker, and visitor who has poured energy and creativity into this space. 💛

12/09/2025

We had so much fun together! Thank you for visiting The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub ❤️

12/03/2025

Our Tuesday Crafternoon was an absolutely beautiful success, and we are so grateful to everyone who joined us for holiday garland making. Thank you for spending your evening creating something warm, fragrant (those oranges!!!), and handmade with us.

A huge thank you to our incredible staff educators who brought this project to life. Rebecca went above and beyond by patiently baking tray after tray of orange slices last night and again EARLY this morning to make sure each piece was perfectly dried for longevity. And a special shoutout to Megan for curating the loveliest mix of natural materials and wooden beads that made every garland feel unique.

Thank you for crafting with us. We love creating these moments of joy with our community.

If you'd like to join us for more creative moments, explore upcoming programs at programs.nlrlibrary.org/events.

12/02/2025

Help save the Hub! We’re grateful for the Chamber’s commitment to bringing together community leaders, partners, and advocates to form an Advisory Committee dedicated to preserving the Innovation Hub’s mission and future. Protecting the creative resources built for public benefit, and championing continued access to hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and workforce development means more than we can express.

Thank you for believing in the power of makers, students, artists, and innovators across Central Arkansas, and for working to ensure that the Hub’s impact can continue to grow.

Read the full announcement from the Chamber and learn how you can support the relaunch effort at the link in their post.

Help us keep Arkansas's first makerspace open. The Innovation Hub has served nearly 130,000 makers since 2014 and with your support, it can serve 130,000 more.You can sign up to receive updated without donation hereThe Innovation Hub Needs YouFor over a decade, the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub h...

11/26/2025

Grateful to Arkansas Money & Politics for shining a light on our Skills to Launch workforce program, and for recognizing us alongside incredible, like-minded organizations working to strengthen Arkansas’s skilled trades pipeline.

Supporting pathways into HVAC, welding, and industrial maintenance changes lives and builds the workforce our communities depend on.

Read the full feature below. 🔧✨

With rising populations spurring new development across Arkansas and established infrastructure that requires upkeep, the future

11/26/2025

11/26/2025

🐦 For the Birds was a hit in November!

It was amazing to see so many community connections happening while learning about our feathered friends. 🌟

Our next For the Birds program is all about Feeder Care on Saturday, December 6, 10 AM to 12 PM at the Innovation Hub!

Learn how to keep your backyard birds healthy with tips on 🧼 feeder cleaning, 🩺 disease prevention, and responsible birding practices. We’ll finish with a short walk along the Arkansas River to spot local species. 🔭 Binoculars will be available to borrow or bring your own.

A huge thank you to Wild Birds Unlimited - Little Rock for helping make this event and future events like this possible!

Visit https://programs.nlrlibrary.org/event/15027676
to add this to your calendar and join us for another fun, educational, and community-building morning!

11/25/2025

The Hub will be closed on Thursday and Friday. As we enter this holiday weekend, we want to take a moment to say how deeply grateful we are for everyone who has been part of The Hub - our members, students, partners, visiting schools, and the countless makers who have filled this space with creativity and care.

Please know how much we appreciate the time we’ve had together, the work we’ve made together, and the community that has grown within these walls.

We hope you find rest, warmth, and connection in the days ahead.

11/25/2025

Won’t you help a neighbor this season? ❄️💛 We’re partnering with Arkansas PBS for the Mister Rogers Sweater Drive again this year, and your kindness can bring real warmth to our unsheltered neighbors. Drop new or gently used coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, socks, or anything cozy at Laman Library, Argenta Library, or the Innovation Hub all November (and even into December). Everything in good condition goes straight to our friends at The Van .

The Van