Watch
We the People: A Forum on Working Class Artists gathered artists, arts leaders, elected officials, students, professors, and more to discuss issues related to working class artists. The five panels after a short introduction proposed solutions toward a more economically inclusive culture that reflects the full breadth of the American experience in the twenty-first century.
The Office of the Arts at Hunter College hosted the event at the Loewe Theatre at Hunter on May 1, 2025.
The event was made possible by the generous support of Susie Sainsbury.
Introduction
Gregory Mosher, Executive Director, Office of the Arts; Special Adviser to the President for the Arts; Patty and Jay Baker Professor of Theatre, Hunter College
“Art is the great democrat, calling forth genius from every sector of society, disregarding race or religion or wealth or color.”
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Windows and Walls
Why do some American artists see a possibility as a window, and some a wall? It depends on where you’re standing.
Moderator: Elizabeth Spiers, New York Times Contributing Opinion Writer
Jess Barbagallo, Obie-Winning Artist and Educator
Betty Yu, Multimedia Artist & Community Organizer
The Money Trap
When did everything become so expensive? Access was always part of the not-for-profit idea. Have we abandoned it?
Moderator: Peter Marks, Pulitzer Winner & Former Washington Post Chief Theater Critic
Tom Finkelpearl, Former NYC Commissioner of Cultural Affairs
Robert Marx, Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation President & Managing Director
No Artist Is an Island
Artists need creative communities. And spaces. And audiences. How can artists integrate into urban neighborhoods?
Moderator: Mark Pagán, Producer, Writer, and Editor
Mino Lora, The People's Theatre Executive Artistic Director
José Serrano-McClain, Community Economic Development Specialist
Colm Summers, Working Theater Artistic Director
The Highwire Act
How can artists balance their practice and paying the rent? From housing to healthcare, how can the basic needs of all artists be met?
Moderator: Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! Host
Theresa Buchheister, Obie-Winning Former Artistic Director of The Brick
Sarah Calderón, Creatives Rebuild New York Executive Director
Gonzalo Casals, Culture & Arts Policy Institute Co-Director
Rafael Espinal, Freelancers Union President & Executive Director
Featuring David Greenspan performing a segment of Mona Pirnot’s play “I’m Assuming You Know David Greenspan”
We the People
Why do we need to hear from working class artists, anyway? In a democracy, everyone is supposed to get a fair chance. And in a democracy, every voice should matter.
Moderator: Ali Velshi, Award-Winning Journalist & MSNBC Chief Correspondent
James Graham, Olivier-Winning Playwright
Richard Sharum, Documentary Photographer
Featuring photos from “Spina Americana” by Richard Sharum