Workers at the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) are moving to unionize through Local 2110 of the United Auto Workers (UAW), a first in the organization's history. Staff cited a lack of transparency, unfair wages, and unsustainable working conditions as reasons for the push, with support from unions representing workers at major New York cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum.
This effort matters because it reflects a growing labor movement within the nonprofit arts sector, where workers seek better conditions to sustain the organizations that support artists. If successful, it could set a precedent for similar institutions, reinforcing that stable, equitable workplaces are essential for a thriving arts ecosystem.