Art + Museum Transparency

This @greenhousenyt article on worker organizing during Covid shares some ideas from abroad: workers electing representatives to negotiate with mgmt and sit on corporate boards. Where are workers’ interests represented in governance of US non-profits? latimes.com/opinion/story/20…

94/ In the Twin Cities, @mnhs #museumlayoffs round 2: as noted by @TCMuseums, announcement today of 40 more layoffs and 34 more furloughs, adding to the 176 layoffs in June. Total staff reduction is now 36%, 216 of 595. Full press release here: mnhs.org/media/news/12121

Sharing with you all a Call for Participants we recieved, it’s for a research study on museum workers by prof. @DavinaDesRoches and her RA Kaitlyn. Invites current/former museum workers to speak on issues like museum labor, employment, and collective action. Contact info below.

So much happening in the museum sphere over on instagram...we finally went and made an account too 😎 Follow us @ artandmuseumtransparency instagram.com/artandmuseumtr…

Something amazing about unionizing in an art museum? All the creative people on staff and in the community whose art infuses the campaign. Seriously, check out what @PMA_Union is doing. Instagram stickers! This voting video! All so well done. Watch here: philadelphiamuseumofartunion…

Are museum leaders paying attention to the new Dem proposals for employers? No more federal money for any that engage in union busting, engage in wage theft, or violate labor law... Taxpayer $$ should never fund worker exploitation. Rn at museums across the country, it does...

More museum workers unionizing during the pandemic: joining @PMA_Union is a new union drive across four Pittsburgh museums!!Around 500 staff involved. Follow them @UMWpgh and stream tonight when they virtually drop off of their union authorization cards!! m.usw.org/news/media-center/…

88/ #Museumlayoffs at Richmond’s @vmfa: new activist group on twitter/instagram @VMFA_Reform reports 30 gallery attendants laid off on Wednesday. instagram.com/p/CBzoiwplAdR/…

We’ve been wondering what kinds of arts and museum jobs would be supported by the CARES Act money overseen by @NEHgov. Well here is the first one we’ve seen, from @ICMAnews. 6 month part-time position (hrs unspecified), $1500/month, no benefits, must have or be pursuing a Phd.

...just how much does @philamuseum’s law firm Morgan Lewis charge for representation in union organizing cases? This article from 2014 mentions hourly rates of $625.50, making one lawyer’s fee for 80 hours well over what most museum workers make in a year. postal-reporter.com/blog/the…

Dear @metmuseum, one of your most powerful curators suggested that it’s a shame we’re trying to “rid ourselves of a past of which we don’t approve” by removing monuments—and, worse, making a dog whistle of an equation of #BLM activists with “revolutionary zealots.” This is not ok

Deleted yesterday’s Exhibitions Manager tweet bc the org corrected the posting. We appreciate their understanding and action. And remain concerned about arts orgs’ reliance on unpaid work. So many issues: arts inequities/exclusivity, OSHA, labor law, etc labor.ny.gov/workerprotectio…

And the law firm is proud of it! Says it right there on the website. This is who you are @philamuseum?? Disgusting. morganlewis.com/services/us-…

Well look who decided to acknowledge “missteps” today...yet still no apology, no acknowledgment of any personal responsibility. We said it yesterday but it bears repeating: these directors are really out of control yall.

The article: nytimes.com/2020/06/07/arts/… What are these mistake that Armstrong is outraged he hasn’t been forgiven for...but also hasn’t apologized for in the least? Well for starters:

Yall buried in this @nytimesarts article on #MuseumsSayBLM is a quote from @Guggenheim director Richard Armstrong that is just too much. Dude wants to be forgiven for stuff he’s never apologized for! And says *that* is what’s missing rn! These directors are really out of control.

We talk a lot about the renewed unionism of the museum labor movement, and with good reason. But there are so many actions happening outside of unions too. The latest is staff at @FieldMuseum organizing for accountability from their execs. Full petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/…

19/ #MuseumsSayBLM The @vmfa in Richmond says “Black Lives Do Matter” 6/3. Asserts “Museums have a role in addressing the critical problems our society faces”...in that “art is a universal language.” Lots of comments on VMFA staffing and pay inequities instagram.com/p/CA_R5oGpDZk/

17/ #MuseumsSayBLM, but another that doesn’t 😞. MFA Houston @MFAH put out a “statement” on 5/31 saying “In these times we seek solace in the art of John Biggers...” That’s it? Are you sure MFA? Rightfully roasted in the comments... instagram.com/p/CA33RphlcV6/…