Workshop Lineup Announced for the Great Labor Arts Exchange, June 20-22
Participants sang "Solidarity Forever" in the finale of last year's Great Labor Arts Exchange concert at the 2024 Labor Notes Conference. Photo: Chris Garlock/LHF
The 2025 Great Labor Arts Exchange is set for June 20–22 at the Silver Spring Civic Center in Silver Spring, Maryland—and the full lineup of workshops and plenaries has just been released!
GLAE is a one-of-a-kind annual gathering sponsored by the Labor Heritage Foundation to bring together union members, artists, activists, and educators to celebrate and strengthen the culture of the labor movement through music, poetry, visual arts, performance, and storytelling. (In Labor Notes Conference years, it takes place there.)
This year’s program features powerful plenaries, including a look at the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum and its innovative “museum without walls” model; a musical tribute to the songs of labor past and present; and a critical discussion on how the FBI and CIA sought to depoliticize 20th-century art and culture, led by singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton (check out her great though not-safe-for-work song “Rich People”).
Workshops will explore songwriting for the streets, movement music strategy, labor history through games, banner-making, racial justice and equity, bilingual labor songs, and healing through art. Participants will also have a chance to join the GLAE Pick-Up Chorus and collaborate on a live performance during the festival, plus there’s a Song and Spoken Word Contest.
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Whether you’re a seasoned labor artist or simply passionate about using art to fuel social change, GLAE offers an inclusive and inspiring space to learn, connect, and create.
Space is limited and registration is filling up quickly, so now’s the time to secure your spot! Scholarships are available to ensure that financial barriers don’t keep anyone from attending—apply now using this brief application form.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a vibrant community advancing the culture of solidarity, justice, and worker power. Learn more and register today.
Chris Garlock is the director of the Labor Heritage Foundation.
