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New York Fixers Collective Celebrates Community-Driven Repair
The collective aims to empower people to fix their own belongings and find art in the mundane.
Apr. 20, 2026 at 9:06am
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The Fixers Collective's communal approach to repair transforms the solitary act of fixing into a vibrant, collaborative celebration of creativity and sustainability.NYC TodayThe Fixers Collective in New York City is a monthly gathering of repair experts and hobbyists who come together to fix various household items, from coffee makers to socks. The collective started in 2008 as part of an art exhibit on repair and has since grown into a permanent community space where people can learn repair skills, get help fixing their belongings, and find creativity in the act of mending.
Why it matters
The Fixers Collective represents a shift away from the solitary nature of most repair work, fostering a collaborative and communal approach. By bringing people together around the shared goal of fixing things, the collective aims to cultivate a culture that values functionality, simplicity, and ingenuity over constant consumption and replacement.
The details
The Fixers Collective meets on the third Thursday of every month in a back room workshop at Proteus Gowanus, an art gallery and reading room in Brooklyn. During these sessions, members work together to repair a variety of household items, from electronics to textiles, sharing their knowledge and skills. The collective also hosts special events, such as repair competitions, to further encourage a culture of fixing and reuse.
- The Fixers Collective was founded in 2008 as part of an art exhibit called 'Mend' at Proteus Gowanus.
- The collective has been holding monthly fixing sessions at Proteus Gowanus since the exhibit ended.
The players
Fixers Collective
A community-driven organization that gathers repair experts and hobbyists to fix household items together on a monthly basis.
Proteus Gowanus
An art gallery and reading room in Brooklyn that has hosted the Fixers Collective's monthly fixing sessions since the collective was founded.
Vincent Lai
An advisor and organizer with the Fixers Collective who also runs a computer reuse and recycling center, focusing on empowerment and community.
What they’re saying
“My slant, both regarding Fixers Collective and my recycling center, leans heavily on empowerment and community. I'd like people to be able to fix this stuff themselves.”
— Vincent Lai, Advisor and Organizer, Fixers Collective
What’s next
The Fixers Collective plans to continue hosting their monthly fixing sessions at Proteus Gowanus, providing a space for the community to come together and learn the skills and patience necessary to care for their belongings.
The takeaway
The Fixers Collective's collaborative approach to repair challenges the notion that fixing things is a solitary endeavor. By fostering a community of repair enthusiasts, the collective aims to empower people to take control of their possessions, find creativity in mending, and cultivate a culture of sustainability and reuse.
