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When the Working-Class Artists Forum, on May 1, opened registration, organizers hoped for a strong turnout. They didn’t expect to sell out almost immediately or to generate a waiting list of more than 100 eager attendees. Overflow rooms were arranged. The message is unmistakable: this conversation matters.

And it’s no wonder. Artists from working-class backgrounds have faced rising barriers for decades—from education to exhibition, from funding to finding their audience. “It seemed to us that artists from the working class have had a more and more difficult time getting their work launched over the past 50 years,” says Gregory Mosher, Tony Award-winning producer, theater director and Executive Director of The Office of the Arts at Hunter College, and one of the forum’s organizers. “There are systemic issues, and we are going to discuss them.”

Building a Space for Truth—and Change

Curated with urgency and care, the forum brought together artists, policy makers, and government leaders on May 1st, 2025 to explore the challenges of class and creativity. It reflected not only the lived realities of working-class artists, but their aspirations and the cultural contributions they’re ready to make—if given the space.

Amid growing national conversations about economic disparity and the accessibility of culture, Mosher emphasizes the need for data and action. “One thing we hope will come out of the day is a decision to get real stats on working-class artists, as they have in the UK,” he says. “It’s not just the individual artist who suffers here; America is the poorer for not hearing their voices.”

The Barriers We Don't Talk About Enough

From representation onstage to the staff behind the curtain, the challenges are real. “The first thing is just to acknowledge that this is an issue,” says Mosher. “Include working-class artists in what you present. Have working-class people on your staffs to provide that perspective. For many, $48 isn’t a good student price—it’s lunch for a week.”

Culture, Class, and Who Gets to Tell the Story

Too often, cultural gatekeeping determines not only what gets seen, but who gets to speak. “Working-class artists need to raise their voices,” Mosher says. “America is torn. We need to hear from all—not just because everyone needs to feel seen and heard, but because we all need to do more seeing and listening.”

Seeds of Change Are Already Growing

Despite the challenges, the energy and resilience of working-class artists are breaking through. “There are collectives and communities doing incredible work,” says Mosher. “They don’t make it into major publications much, but that can change.”

And as conversations about economic inequality deepen across the country, Mosher believes artists must be part of that narrative. “As the general flat-lining of incomes for the majority of Americans over the past 50 years becomes acknowledged, clearer and more discussed, it’s inevitable that the artists’ place in this will become more present.”

Explore the full program and supporting resources at workingclassartists.org.

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