Great Labor Arts Exchange

Conference on Creative Organzing

Workshop & Presenter Proposals

Photo Contest

Online Registration

Scholarships

John Handcox Scholarship

Julius Margolin “Youth in Labor” Scholarship

This year’s theme: “Gonna Take Us All” is inspired by Jon Fromer. The theme, reminds us that it is going to take all of us, working together, to build strong unions and a progressive movement; to promote and ensure the dignity of work and workers for the good of all of our communities. Since its inception, as the Great Labor Song Exchange, some of labor’s greatest advocates, entertainers, cultural workers and activists have made this weekend gathering a source of inspiration, personal retreat, and an opportunity to fine tune or tune up our energies to strengthen and promote the labor movement through the use of the creative, performing, literary, visual, and mixed media arts. Enhanced by our use of creative organizing techniques and tools this event provides the resources to build a strong, engaging, and inspiring movement.

Come share your passions, collaborate, build skills, learn the history of the labor movement and the work of artists and cultural workers who give life to the rallies and actions that fuel the work of labor all across the globe.

• Nourish your soul in an atmosphere of creativity & solidarity;
• Celebrate the rich cultural heritage of working people;
• Network with labor artists, organizers, performers, visual artists, and writers.

Great Labor Arts Exchange (GLAE) is a gathering of union and community activists, rank and filers, organizers, cultural workers, artists, labor educators, and youth who use, or support the use of, songs, art, poetry, theater, skits, posters, cartoons, and film to strengthen the labor movement.

Conference on Creative Organizing (CCO) Program is a leadership-training program for union staff, organizers, activists, and rank-and-filers. Participants learn how to think outside the box and approach organizing challenges creatively from a different point of view. They will also develop new skills including how to involve others in songs, chants, skits, game shows, costume, theater, and other creative strategies. Learn to use cultural tools to combat fear, get members involved, attract media attention, integrate contemporary or “pop” culture into organizing strategies, and inject “excitement” into union and political campaigns.

Participants will:

• Meet other unionists from all over the country and abroad
• Network with other progressive activists and cultural workers
• Exchange experiences and ideas for artistic expression;
• Collaborate or engage with other artists, performers, and activists;
• Share resources with organizers and artists from the Conference on Creative Organizing;
• Return home rejuvenated, energized and inspired with a battery of new ideas and tools that will make your artistry more engaging and infused.