Are Art Workers Organising?

“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.

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/)

Our reading list is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BOTcUgx1Kj-k6N_5ta4YwmdK1Zg9zZ2-yXpaOoO0pCw/edit?usp=sharing

Free. No need to book.
For more information contact the organisers onworkersinart@gmail.com
Join the facebook event [https://www.facebook.com/events/1267063636788612/]

The event is part of the Antiuniversity festival, 15-22 June
See the full programme on antiuniversity.org

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This event is in the Brockway Room on the ground floor. For accessibility info: https://www.conwayhall.org.uk/about/visiting-us/