The partnership expands access to free, hands-on maker education at UMB’s Community Engagement Center in West Baltimore.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) has launched an exciting new partnership with Open Works, one of the country’s largest nonprofit makerspaces, to expand access to free, hands-on maker education in West Baltimore.
Through this collaboration, Open Works now serves as the operating partner of the Steve and Mim Dubin Makerspace inside UMB’s Community Engagement Center (CEC). Together, UMB and Open Works are expanding access to hands-on learning, technical training, and creative opportunities in the heart of the community.
“UMB’s neighbors and students deserve the highest-quality opportunities to learn, grow, and work together. UMB is committed to partnering with our neighbors to make those opportunities available and accessible right here in West Baltimore. So, we are thrilled to partner with a nationally renowned, Baltimore-based organization like Open Works,” said William Joyner, JD, MSW, assistant vice president for community engagement at UMB. “They offer the highest level of expertise available in makerspace programming and operations. By combining forces with them, the CEC joins a growing network of expert-run makerspaces. This allows us to more efficiently deliver top-quality programming and offer our neighbors connections to even more advanced makerspace resources at other sites managed by Open Works.”
Open Works will provide curriculum development, instructor training, equipment maintenance, and program support for the makerspace — all while working closely with UMB and local residents to align offerings with community needs and interests. The partnership will provide community members with exceptional programming and broaden access to fabrication, digital design, and technologies — including tools like the Glowforge laser cutter, Cricut vinyl cutting machines, and sewing machines.
Programming is free and open to adults and seniors in the community, as well as youth and families through established UMB initiatives like the Police Athletic/Activities League and the CURE Scholars Program.
“We're really excited to expand that landscape of opportunity over to West Baltimore by partnering with the UMB Office of Community and Civic Engagement to offer free programming to residents of the Poppleton community and beyond,” said Open Works Chief Executive Officer Will Holman. “By bringing our programming into UMB’s Community Engagement Center, we can help residents build skills, gain confidence, and potentially explore new career or entrepreneurial paths.”