History

Anticapitalism for Artists was born in 2020, in the early moments of the pandemic, as an urgent response to the various identity-based “reckonings” that were happening across the art industries. Our claim was simple: if things were to be different, artists should integrate a radical analysis of class into their demands or else risk perpetuating the same old problems. Real change requires class politics.

Initially conceived to be a one-off study group on class analysis , it quickly became clear that it was necessary to build an organization capable of carrying a mission into the horizon of a new world. The response was overwhelming — artists were hungry to expand their conception of what is possible, to think beyond the stifling limitations of capitalism and fight back, and we, as artists ourselves, were energized to meet that need with care, rigor, and creativity.

From our spontaneous beginnings through today, we have worked to realize our mission of raising the class consciousness of artists around the country and world. We are proud of what we have accomplished so far: working both virtually and in-person, we have reached over 1,500 artists across a dozen (and counting) free offerings and events over the 2.5 years of existence. Guest artists have included Boots Riley, Jabari Brisport, and Hannah Black among others. Our initial core offering, the Intro Course, has taken some 250 artists on a methodical 10-week tour of anticapitalist analysis. We are also proudly a member organization of The People’s Forum, which affords us greater potential to both continue our political education work and realize our dream of creating educational media to share.

This living history affirms that we are part of a larger worldwide movement of working class people realizing their power and building alternative ways of being to take back the world. We will not rest in our work until the oppressive systems of capitalism, imperialism, settler-colonialism, and heteropatriarchy are distant memories, and artists are free to create from a point of abundance and unfettered freedom. 

Learn more about us by reading our manifesto, check out upcoming events, and if you identify as an artist, consider joining our community. 

Anticapitalism for Artists is a volunteer organization funded entirely by grassroots donations. If you would like to support our work, please consider donating or getting in touch for other ways to help or collaborate.