Workers at Creative Growth Art Center, the Oakland nonprofit that provides studio space, support, and exhibition opportunities to artists with developmental disabilities, announced Tuesday that they are seeking to form a union.
The movement towards unionization is gaining momentum in the arts nonprofit sector. Most recently, workers at the Oakland Museum of California announced their intent to form a union to seek better pay, benefits, and more voice in the institution’s decision-making.
According to Sam Lefebvre, a studio facilitator at Creative Growth, 100% of eligible staff have signed union authorization cards, expressing support to affiliate with the American Federation of State, Council, and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME Council 57. The nonprofit workers—32 staff, including art facilitators and instructors, program coordinators, gallery staff, and other direct-service providers—would be organized under the name “Creative Growth United.” They are seeking voluntary recognition from the nonprofit’s management.
The union announcement comes at the heels of Creative Growth’s 50th anniversary. The organization was founded by Elias Katz and Florence Ludins-Katz in 1974. In the 1980s, Creative Growth moved to its current location on 24th Street that used to be an auto repair shop. On Thursday, April 4, the nonprofit will unveil its exhibit Creative Growth: The House that Art Built at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Ariel Cooper, a 1:1 art facilitator aid at Creative Growth, told The Oaklandside about the workers’ concerns that led to the decision to form a union. Workers say the organization’s hiring practices aren’t transparent and that there is confusion around pay scales and benefits. There’s also a strong desire for more decision-making power and they would like to see union representation on the nonprofit’s board of directors.
“Having a representative from staff and artists on the board is huge, because it gives us an opportunity to make sure that there’s open lines of communication and people’s needs are represented at all levels of the organization,” Cooper told the Oaklandside.
Creative Growth’s workers are employed part-time, working 3 to 4 days a week, and Cooper said this has caused a lot of confusion about who is entitled to benefits like health insurance. Employees are eligible for benefits after working 21 hours. Cooper said benefits and holiday pay haven’t been consistent.
In response to the workers’ announcement, interim executive director at Creative Growth Art Center Tom Di Maria told the Oaklandside via email that management received notice just hours ago and has already reached out to the union to start a conversation between the two parties.
“I believe that this step reflects our collective commitment to fostering an open, respectful, and supportive work environment,” Di Maria wrote. “Engaging in this dialogue is an opportunity to ensure our values of inclusivity and empowerment are fully realized in our everyday practices. I look forward to a constructive exchange of ideas and finding pathways that benefit all members of our Creative Growth community.”
Creative Growth United organizers said they plan to hold a rally at 12 p.m. outside the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to coincide with the exhibit Creative Growth: The House that Art Built, which will be on display through Oct. 6, 2024.
