The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Office of Community and Civic Engagement (OCCE) has launched a new partnership with Open Works, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit makerspaces, to expand access to hands-on maker education in West Baltimore.
As part of this collaboration, Open Works is now serving as an operating partner of the Steve and Mim Dubin Makerspace at UMB’s Community Engagement Center (CEC) to support creative learning and technical skill-building in the Poppleton neighborhood. Together, UMB and Open Works aim to deliver 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 — all while working side-by-side with neighbors to ensure offerings are relevant and responsive to community needs.
Community member Sandy Price holds a banner made at a recent class hosted through UMB’s collaboration with Open Works.
“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.”
“We're really excited to expand that landscape of opportunity over to West Baltimore by partnering with 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.”
Since its founding in 2016, Open Works has worked to make tools, technology, and the knowledge to use them accessible to all. Through this collaboration, it will support curriculum development, equipment maintenance, instructor training, and operations at the CEC makerspace — while ensuring community input remains central.
“At OCCE, we work hand-in-hand with our neighbors to shape every program we offer,” said Sarah Turner, MSW, associate director of community engagement programs at UMB. “Open Works brings deep experience and a shared commitment to equity and access, helping us build a space where community members, students, faculty, and staff can connect, create, and learn together.”
Classes are free and open to adults and seniors in the community, offering skill-building in areas such as sewing, laser cutting, vinyl design, and 3D printing. The CEC makerspace also serves youth and families through programs such as the UMB Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) and the UMB CURE Scholars program, where program staff are trained by Open Works staff on equipment to integrate maker activities into existing curriculum in support of program goals.
The long-term vision of both organizations is to help build an integrated network of makerspaces throughout Baltimore — where residents have fluid, affordable access to creative tools and technical literacy, no matter where they live.
“Makerspaces are more than just places to learn new skills,” Turner added. “They’re hubs of creativity and connection — where people come to collaborate, experiment, and build relationships. And that’s what this partnership is all about.”
For more information on programming at the Community Engagement Center’s makerspace, visit www.umaryland.edu/occe. To learn more about Open Works, visit www.openworksbmore.org.