IN SOLIDARITY WITH ATLANTA ARTISTS FACING EVICTION AND UNEMPLOYMENT
ISSUED ON AUG. 14, 2024 BY ATLANTA-BASED CULTURAL WORKERS

Art has the power to transform society and yet, artists and cultural workers are often blatantly exploited, disregarded, and left in precarious situations. Without our labor, arts organizations, galleries, festivals, and cultural institutions wouldn’t exist. We must stand together as artists and workers to build a future of dignity and respect for cultural work and bring out its full potential in the transformation of society!

On Friday, August 9, 2024, MINT, a non-profit gallery, and studio in West End Atlanta, abruptly evicted artists and cultural workers who were leasing studio spaces and canceled all programming. Despite artists paying rent to the organization, MINT failed to pay building rent for months, resulting in artists having to immediately move out of their studios with no expectations of a refund of security deposits or August’s rent! Due to the failure of MINT’s leadership, artists must pack their studios, move, and secure new studio spaces by Sunday, August 18, 2024. Not only are artists without their space, but employees and contract workers of MINT are also without a job and income, many of whom are working artists themselves.

We are disheartened to learn of the mismanagement that lead to the closure of MINT and its severe impact on working artists. We are also clear that this is not an isolated incident, but one that makes perfect sense in a system that prioritizes profit over people, and that dissmisses working class artists’ needs. These evictions are directly connected to systemic issues faced by all workers, including artists. Workers of all kinds are constantly disrespected through low and inconsistent wages, then to be disposed by both corporations and non-profit organizations alike.

Artists and cultural workers help to shape and transform our society. We sing songs, make images, tell stories, and envision new worlds that inspire movements. We preserve and transform culture through storytelling, memory, and oral traditions. Cultural workers are an important part of society and we demand respect and dignity.

Together, we stand in solidarity with the artists and cultural workers facing eviction at MINT, and continue the fight for respect, dignity, and fair treatment of arts workers everywhere.

CALL TO ACTION FOR ALL ARTISTS, CULTURAL WORKERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Show your solidarity! Sign the this statement below.
Spread the word! Share the statement graphics on your social media feed and any mutual aid request from the artists and employees/contract workers impacted. DOWNLOAD GRAPHICS HERE
Get involved! Join us as artists and workers to build a sustained struggle for better working conditions and dignity in our work.