Creativity is an essential part of building richer lives and communities. We collaborate with local organizations, artists, and neighbors to provide education and resources that make creative practice more accessible to everyone.
Let’s get
creative
together
Events
& Workshops
Have you ever wanted to learn how to write poetry, mend your clothes, or take some awesome product photos? Or maybe you just want to kick back and draw while making new friends? Whatever your flavor of creativity, we’ve got the space to make it happen.
Check out our calendar of upcoming events or sign up to host something of your own!
Secondhand
Art Supplies
Too many art and craft supplies end up collecting dust in the back of our closets (or worse, in the landfill). We set out to curb some of that waste by opening our Art Supply Closet: a place where you can donate the supplies that no longer serve you and discover your new favorite medium with no strings attached.
Collaboration builds a stronger community
Queens Collaborative started as a bit of a pipe dream. In early 2021, a few kids from Queens got together and realized they were all hankering for the same missing piece: a local community space that centered around sharing creativity. But nurturing a physical community in the midst of a pandemic was no easy task, so we put out a call for like-minded neighbors and put our heads together to create our first project: an artist-operated storefront.
Over 100 Queens-based artisans were featured in the storefront during its six month run, not to mention the numerous other creative neighbors who shopped the wares, attended workshops, and donated supplies to our Free Art Supply Shelf. After closing up shop, we took our show on the road—sharing space with our friends at 31st Ave Open Street and Astoria Food Pantry as we explored roles as Maker Market operators, Free Store organizers, and Creative Workshop hosts.
After a few years of experimentation, we cracked the code on the core of what drives us.
We believe in creativity as an essential part of our health and wellbeing as people. Too often, creative exploration is something that is reserved for those with enough money and resources to participate in traditional art education and development.
We’re inviting all of you to help us change that. The ability to be creative lives in all of us; let’s make it accessible to all of us.
Building community
takes a village…
Upcoming Events
The creative possibilities are endless at The Collaboratory. Check out some of our upcoming workshops—you might just find your new favorite hobby in the mix.
Have an idea for an event, meetup, or class that you don’t see on our calendar? Let us know—we’d love to host it!