Community Partner : Dewmore Baltimore Intern : Caroline Colvin Site Supervisor : Olu Woods What is Dewmore Baltimore ?
DewMore Baltimore uses art to promote civic engagement in marginalized communities .
This summer , I had the privilege of interning with DewMore Baltimore . DewMore teaches poetry as a tool of civic engagement , addressing apathy and amplifying Baltimore youth voices in decision-making spaces . As an artist myself , I am always fascinated by the role of art in enacting social change . Art provides a means to both reflect and shape culture , defining how we view ourselves and our world . Likewise , to CREATE art is to claim one ’ s rightful space . ‘ Artivist ’ ( artist-activist ) organizations like DewMore harness this power accordingly , using art as a tool to accessibly engage communities and communicate ideas .
Throughout my internship , I worked as a ‘ right hand ’ of sorts for Program Director Olufunmike Woods . DewMore is a very small non-profit , made up of just five powerhouse employees . As such , I quickly found myself taking on a number of roles – both creative and administrative . In this process , I was able to not only build upon existing strengths ( graphic design , marketing / publicity , event planning ), but also develop new skills ( invoice management , record keeping , and so forth ).
Recruited youth participants and managed attendance tracking , invoices , check requests , and demographic intake for DewMore ’ s Youth Artivist Apprenticeship Program Coordinated logistics for three inperson DewMore events : two youth gatherings , and a community-wide event at Whitelock Farm Designed graphics and publicized upcoming events on DewMore ’ s social media platforms Attended weekly planning meetings and created a comprehensive vendor application for DewMore ’ s premiere ‘ So Fresh and So Clean ’ holistic health fair Updated DewMore ’ s volunteer spreadsheet and mobilized prospective volunteers and communications partners
I initially applied to the Community Impact Internships Program in order to gain firsthand experience of Baltimore City and its arts community . As a Peabody student , interactions with Baltimore residents are an everyday norm . Walking through the heart of Mount Vernon , it is not unusual to chat with passing community members . As my freshman year progressed , however , I felt myself increasingly called into the Baltimore community . I did not want to spend my undergraduate years living within the Hopkins bubble . I wanted to step outside these campus perimeters and learn about the city , its residents , and how I – a white Hopkins student – fit into the picture .
As I conclude my eight weeks with DewMore , I have explored new neighborhoods , overcome imposter fears , and forged true relationships with the DewMore Team . I have gained hands-on experience in nonprofit management and feel more connected to Baltimore City than ever before . Thank you to Olu , Chin-yer , Slangston , Monique , and Amber for welcoming me with open arms , and allowing me to experience a small slice of Baltimore ’ s arts nonprofit scene . I am forever grateful .
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