Communications/Organizing - Began running TikTok ads to support OPEIU’s campaign to educate resident assistants (RAs) at private colleges and universities about their workplace rights with the goal of generating organizing leads. Here’s one of the TikTok videos used as an ad.
Research - Alana Staiti attended a two-day workshop at the National Science Foundation (NSF) on April 11 and 12 as part of a group of social scientists invited to discuss the NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (NSF-TIP), a technology and innovation initiative established in 2022 through the CHIPS & Science Act. The group provided recommendations to NSF Program Directors about best practices for community and stakeholder engagement. NSF Program Directors are encouraged to incorporate these recommendations into future funding calls by the NSF-TIP Directorate as well as other NSF funding programs.
Communications - endorsement of the CREATE Art Act was mentioned in the West Orlando News and Consequence (previously Consequence of Sound).
AEMI - Activities of the arts, entertainment, and media unions in April:
Met with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici to discuss federal arts funding and current dynamics in the nonprofit performing arts sector. Unions participating included: AEA, AFM, AGMA, IATSE, and SDC.
Distributed a primer for union creative professionals (members of AEMI unions) about artificial intelligence (AI) in the arts, entertainment, and media industries. The primer describes how AI is impacting the work of creative professionals in AEMI fields and how creative professionals can get involved in their union’s efforts to both promote the responsible use of AI and protect their work from the exploitative effects of the technology. The primer is shared
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dmCQH91c7I_y3vxtMMdPOdbH1QdE4htV/view?usp=drive_link
Launched an Action Network campaign to recruit signers for the FY 25 NEA and NEH funding support letters in the House and Senate. The campaign achieved nearly 15,000 grassroots actions in less than three weeks.
Participated in a meeting with USPTO and RIAA to discuss international AI issues.
Facilitated a meeting for WGAE with Senate Commerce Committee majority staff to discuss federal support for journalism industry jobs.
Endorsed two pieces of legislation related to federal arts funding outside of the NEA and NEH: the STAGE Act and the CREATE Art Act.
Released a statement to the press applauding USTR’s 2024 Special 301 Report that spotlights countries that fail to adequately protect intellectual property (IP).
Convened the broadcast unions (AFM, IBEW, IATSE, DGA, SAG-AFTRA, and WGAE) on April 12th to discuss ongoing initiatives and collaboration.
In Solidarity,
