HacDC is a community organization in Washington, D.C. devoted to
collaboration in the creative use of technology. Founded in 2008 by a
diverse group of engineers, artists, and hobbyists, HacDC hosts free and
open activities to share knowledge, skills, and ideas. A combined
meeting space and workshop is stocked with specialized tools and
supplies useful for the collaborative development of technological and
artistic projects.
HacDC is part of a global trend in amateur engineering clubs that
have come to be known as “hackerspaces.” Centered on physical locations
that function as shared workshops, these spaces support “makers” whose
work bridges the realms of art and technology and who share a passion
for putting old technology to new and creative purposes. Spaces like
HacDC give new impetus to an American tradition of amateur innovation,
much as ham radio societies do. These spaces have been broadly
recognized in the national and international media. HacDC itself was
featured in The Washington Post in April, 2009.
HacDC activities can be divided into three categories: educational
programs, community service, and technical and research projects.
Educational programs encompass talks, classes, joint projects, and
workshops held at the organization’s meeting space. All are open to the
public and are free of charge. HacDC’s community service marshals the
organization's technological knowledge to benefit the surrounding
community. Technical and research projects often have an engineering
focus, but can encompass art projects using technology and are not
fundamentally limited in subject matter or approach.