Are Art Workers Organising?
22nd June 10.30am to 2.30pm at Conway Hall London, WC1R 4RL
More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1267063636788612/
“Vis-à-vis the public, the actor is here as an artist, but vis-à-vis the entrepreneur, they are here as a productive worker”
This meeting brings together activists from across the arts industries (theatre, design, arts, games) to discuss conditions, protest, and labour organising.
Conditions: How does the promise of autonomy, prestige, and money relate with everyday exploitation (and sexism, racism, and bullying) in the art industries?
Protest: Does the industry aestheticize protest against those conditions? Can we criticise critical institutions?
Labour organising: Union density is 15.5% in ‘Art’ (against 50% for ‘Education’, and 40% for ‘Health’) – why are we so disorganised? Does the arts need ‘new trade unionism’?
Each session will open with a 15 minute talk, followed by 45 minutes’ of chaired discussion.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1267063636788612/
—
Timetable:
10..30 – Introductions
10.45-11.45 – The Work of Art, with Evening Class (Design Collective)
11.45-12.45 – Protest! Or, How to Sell a Show, with Justice For Workers – Goldsmiths
12.45-13.15 – Lunch
13.15-14.15 – ‘New Trade Unions’ and the Arts, with Game Workers Unite
14.15-14.30 – Closing remarks
—
This event follows “Can Art Workers Organise?” discussion, held at MayDay Rooms in early April (https://www.facebook.com/events/620490568397871/)
It is supported by Antiuniversity Now, whose 15-22 June programme is here:http://programme.antiuniversity.org/
Our reading list is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BOTcUgx1Kj-k6N_5ta4YwmdK1Zg9zZ2-yXpaOoO0pCw/edit?usp=sharing
Contact the organisers via PM, or through workersinart@gmail.com
