A new exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) showcases the recent history of local labor activism in “Collective/Action: Labor Activism in 21st Century Baltimore.”
The exhibition opens May 1 and explores the historic and contemporary organized labor movement.
Workers have long fought for labor rights, which include higher wages, improved safety, shorter hours, and a seat at the bargaining table. Now, however, there is a burst of new activism led by a new generation of workers seizing the energy of the economic and political climate to push the movement forward even further. Baltimoreans will tell their stories and share their experiences in this exhibit to shed light on why they are organizing and to explore the historical roots of the labor struggle.
There is a complicated relationship between politics, work, class, and economics that fits the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s themes and priorities. It’s a place where people have come to make sense of the history and context of what is happening in the realm of work and labor.
“Towson has the first Apple store in the nation to unionize, and the first Starbucks in the state to do so is in the heart of midtown Baltimore,” says Dr. Rachel Donaldson, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at the BMI. “Many of the cultural institutions in the city are exploring organizing. It’s an incredibly relevant topic to workers today,”
In conjunction with the Collective/Action exhibition, the BMI is presenting a labor-themed public program on May 15 at 5:30 p.m.
“Work Matters: BMI Bingo Night–A Celebration of Collective Action” is billed as an evening of excitement, camaraderie, and bingo themed around the Collective/Action exhibition.
The evening begins with an exclusive tour of the exhibit with museum curator Donaldson, then the labor history-themed game of Bingo. There will be prizes, refreshments, a cash bar, and more. The program’s cost is included in the museum admission price. To purchase a ticket for this event, click here.
The Collective/Action exhibition will be at the BMI through 2025. The museum is located at 1415 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD. Free onsite parking is available. For tickets and information, click this link.
