Trade Unions in Soviet Russia/The All Russia Union of Art Workers
The All-Russia Union of Art Workers.
Issued by the Central Committee of the
All-Russia Union of Art Workers.
After the February Revolution more than 15 art unions were created in Russia. These unions were independent and in no way connected with each other. (1) The National Union of Musical Art Workers. (2) The National Union of Actors. (3) The National Union of Scenic and Arena Artists. (4) Union of Circus Actors. 5) Union of Kino Workers. (6) Union of Actors of the private ballet. (7) Union of Stage Workers (theatrical hair-dressers, scene shifters, dress makers, etc.). (8) Union of Stage Employees (cloak-room attendants, wardrobe keepers, etc.). (9) Union of Photographic Workers. (10) Union of Painters. (11) Union of Artists of the New Art. (12) Union of Sculptors. (13) Union of Artists of Applied Arts and Art Industries. (14) Union of Engravers. (15) Union of Architects. (16) Union of Composers, etc.
All these above mentioned narrow-corporative and craft Unions were never of great importance. Actors in a theatre entered one Union, orchestra players joined another, stage workmen a third, etc. All these unions issued different instructions—and it is not to be wondered at that since the revolution the Art Workers decided to create one large Union, which was finally formed in the beginning of 1919. At the present moment the All-Russia Union of Art Workers unites workers in all branches of art and enters with equal rights into the family of proletarian unions, headed by the All-Russia Central Council of Trade Unions. All these above mentioned Unions joined hands and formed one big Union of Art workers including all actors of the drama, opera, ballet, cinematograph, circus and music hall: managers, balletmasters, music conductors, composers, dramatists and authors of cinematographic scenarios, musicians (including those in the Red Army and the fleet), chorus singers (including church and synagogue choristers, chapel masters, organ players, etc.)., cinematographic operators, acrobats, clowns, circus riders, and riding masters, trainers, athletes, wrestlers, gymnasts, couplet singers and other music-hall actors; theatre artists (scene painters, property men, etc.) as well as image painters, photographers, workers in the kino-ateliers, theatrical hair dressers, and costumiers, dressmakers, shoe makers, carpenters, electrical engineers, house painters, theatre servants, watchmen, circus saddlers, and stable boys. The great employees (managers, cashiers, controllers, etc.), and the door keepers, Chaliapine as well as the simple ticket porter, enter with equal rights into the Union. We must add that the Union includes also tuners of musical instruments, musical instrument makers, teachers in all branches of art as well as employees in picture galleries and museums and all employees in the following departments of the Peoples Commissariat for Education: (1) The Theatre Department, (2) Music Department, (3) Photographic and Cinematographic Department, (4) Department of Fine Arts, (5) Department for the safe-keeping of museums and monuments of antiquity.
Each theatre, circus, cinematograph and workshop has a local committee which is the primary organ of the Union. The functions of the latter are the same as the functions of local factory committees in other Unions. At the present time the Union numbers nearly 150,000 members and has branch offices in more than 150 towns.
Since the annexation of Siberia, Ukraine, Crimea and Turkestan the number of members and branch offices increases every day.
The All-Russian Congress of Art Workers which was held in Moscow in May, 1919, elected a central committee composed of 5 musicians, 1 composer, 5 actors, 3 kino players, 2 music-hall actors, 1 juggler, 3 stage workmen, (1 dress maker, 1 carpenter and 1 mechanic) 1 painter and 1 sculptor.
The Union unites all the Art Workers without any consideration of their political opinions. The union has a communist fraction which exercises great influence.
The principal question dealt with by the Union is the salary question. Detailed rates are settled for every category and are strictly based on grades of skill.
Under the reign of the Tsar the artists were in a miserable position; now they are in better conditions than other workers. Before the revolution theatres played every day; theatre workers did not know what rest was. Now, according to a decree of the Soviet Government, all theatre workers have their holiday on Monday instead of Sunday because it would be unreasonable to deprive working people of theatres on Sunday. Before the revolution managers and impresarios took from theatre workers everything they could. Now, all theatres are nationalised and are administered by a collegiate board which includes representatives of the Union of Art Workers. The Union has also its representatives in the collegiate boards of the Art Section of the Commissariat of Education and in the corresponding departments of local Soviets.
Now that the blockade may soon be raised, we are ready to take the initiative for the organisation of an International Union of Art Workers.
Art is international. Artists have always been internationalists.
There is great need for the organising of a world Labour Exchange of Art Workers. We appeal to our European comrades. They must help us to organise an International Union of Art Workers.
Let the International language Esperanto be the official language of this Union.
The Russian people have awakened from their slumber. They long for theatres, music and works of Art. But the needs of several millions cannot be satisfied by our artists alone. In towns as well as in the country actors have to play several times through the evening. We appeal to bur European comrades to come and help us in our work. There is a lack of material necessary to the development of Arts.
Europe must give us cinematograph films, "Eastman Kodak" apparatus, chemicals, musical instruments, strings, mouth pieces, colours, etc. The blockade must be raised.
Come to Russia, comrades, and you will see that the Russian Soviet Republic is neither a desert nor a barbarous country. You will convince yourselves that Art occupies a place of honour in our lives.
We are waiting for you. Workers, in all branches of Art.
Send your delegation to Moscow and give us the opportunity to send our comrades to confer with you.
Long Live the International Union of Art Workers!
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