Brecht Forum

The Brecht Forum
122 W 27th St. 10th Fl.
New York NY 10001
212/242-4201 Fax 212/741-4563
http://www.brechtforum.org

The Brecht Forum is one of the few independent progressive organizations that focuses on social and political analysis and grassroots activism in New York City. Founded in 1975 as the New York Marxist School by a group of civil rights, community, labor, and student activists, The Brecht Forum was created as an independent educational and cultural school for people working toward fundamental social change.

Over the past 25 years, it has become one of the most important local institutions providing a genuine opportunity for serious (non-sectarian) progressive analysis and discussion of social, political and cultural issues in a non-academic, community-level setting. The Brecht Forum is also a city-wide community center for progressives, and a venue for political events used by activists and organizers city-wide.

Nan has served on the Board of The Brecht Forum for four years, and is currently Co-Chair of the Board with fellow Board Member Yusef Nuruddin. The Brecht Forum is a vital and dynamic center for progressive education and action in New York City, with broad support from academics and activists alike.

The mission of The Brecht Forum includes:
&Mac183; Promoting a culture of solidarity among progressives working for social change by providing a broad-based non-sectarian forum for discussion, debate, and exchange of experience, perspective, and cultural expression.
&Mac183; Introducing progressive perspectives to the public by seeking out and presenting some of today’s most accomplished and creative thinkers and organizers.

The Brecht Forum occupies a loft in midtown Manhattan with an open ‘auditorium’ space that can be set up for large gatherings, (up to 250 people), blank walls used as a gallery, several classrooms, a piano for musical performances, and a number of offices that are rented by community groups. Activities include:

Classes of 4 –16 weeks on economics, political analysis, current affairs, and similar topics taught by peers;
Practical workshops for organizers;
Lectures, forums and roundtables on current issues and political concerns;
Organizing and collaborating with other groups to present educational programs on city-wide issues;
Book parties, cultural performances and gallery space for artists;
Providing a low-cost venue for political organizations and activist groups to hold their own meetings, lectures and special events.

In 1999, more than 6,000 people attended political events at or sponsored by the Brecht Forum, in more than 200 public events. Dozens of classes, speakers and presentations are offered monthly. Every quarter a schedule of events with program highlights, photographs, and reports or discussions of current issues is mailed to more than 10,000 people. Art exhibits are on display monthly, often featuring the work of immigrant artists, young people, and collaborative group shows. Many programs are recorded on audiotape, and Brecht Forum events are often broadcast on WBAI/Pacifica Radio, local public access cable TV, and nationally on C-SPAN. Check out the web site, look at the calendar, and sign-up for special mailings! [link]

We have two full time and two part time staff, plus hundreds of volunteers who organize the programs, teach the classes, and oversee outreach and promotion. For more information and to receive the current program schedule, contact the Brecht Forum at the address above or through the web site.