Introduction

These extraordinary young authors and artists bring us new perspectives on work with their thoughtful non-fiction essays, creative fiction, poetry, and visual art. Many of them talk about work that is too often unseen, from the front lines of the new economy where precarious service jobs reign.  Their efforts fulfill the goal of this CUNY/LaborArts contest—to expand student thinking about the history of work, and to provide opportunities to make links between individual lived experiences and larger social issues.

City College of New York student Katherine Dominguez’s artwork The Roots are a Base is but one example.

Dominguez writes: “The theme that makes works visible is portrayed by an abandoned tree trunk where there’s garbage piled up and the underground with roots. The tree trunk represents part of being cut off from society. Its roots represent the power source and base which are the immigrant’s jobs that make up the essential bases of society.”

We sincerely hope that these young authors and artists continue on with their work—their voices demand to be heard.

Now in its twelfth year, the contest is open to all CUNY undergraduates. Entries are judged according to originality, content, and style. Guidelines used for this 2022 contest are here.  Student writers and artists draw upon history, their close observation of the world around them, and a wealth of first-hand experiences to link their work to the spirit of labor arts. Every year professors judging the contest reflect on the value of providing opportunities for the students to seriously interrogate their own life experiences and that of those around them.

LaborArts is enormously grateful for generous funding for the contest from the Workforce Development Institute and for ongoing support from the Brooklyn College Graduate Center for Worker Education.

All photographs courtesy of student awardees.