Cooperative and worker-owned enterprises in the arts and culture sector are gaining traction (again). In the last financial crisis of 2007/2008, the number of worker cooperatives doubled. The oldest Native co-op in the country, Qualla Arts and Crafts, is led by culture-bearers. The first democratically managed investment fund in the country, the Boston Ujima Project, places BIPOC arts and cultural organizing at the heart of its work. The oldest non-extractive venture capital firm in the United States, The Working World, was started by artists. The system culture-bearers and artists want is not only possible—it already exists and can be strengthened and cultivated with intention.
Convened with artist Caroline Woolard of Art.coop, this seminar brings together cultural cooperatives in a conversation about protocols that build shared political, economic, and cultural power. Computer scientist, game designer, educator, and co-founder of Emma Technology Cooperative Ramsey Nasser leads participants in a collaborative game designed for the seminar.
Participants:
Those registered and
Pia Mancini, co-founder & CEO, Open Collective
Ramsey Nasser, computer scientist and game designer, co-founder of Emma Technology Cooperative
Daniel Park, U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives
Convened with Caroline Woolard, artist, Co-Founder, Project Development & Research Steward, Art.coop