ABOUT THE BRECHT FORUM
The BRECHT FORUM is a place for people who are working for social justice, equality and a new culture that puts human needs first. Through its programs and events, the Brecht Forum brings people together across social and cultural boundaries and artistic and academic disciplines to promote critical analysis, creative thinking, collaboartive projects and networking in an independent community-level environment.
Throughout the year, the Brecht Forum offers a wide-ranging program of classes, public lectures and seminars, art exhibitions, performances, popular education workshops, and language classes. These activities are developed in collaboration with the many social movements and the diverse communities of this most cosmopolitan of cities, and our programs bring together leading intellectuals, activists and artists from New York, across the U.S., and internationally.
The Brecht Forum is organized through projects including:
The New York Marxist School
When people attempt to resolve the problems that plague everyday life and even threaten survival on this planet, from poverty, disease, discrimination and alienation to war, economic crisis and environmental devastation, they come face to face with difficult questions: Can society be changed significantly for the better? What kind of changes would be needed? and, Who could bring about such changes?
Questions like these motivated Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels to develop a method for studying the dynamics of change in societies. The Brecht Forum's flagship project--The New York Marxist School--uses Marx's uniquely valuable contributions, along with others within and outside of the Marxist tradition, to study conditions today and possibilities for transcending capitalism and building an emancipatory society.
The Institute for Popular Education
The Institute for Popular Education was founded in 1992 to build on popular education traditions developed in Latin America , particularly the work of Paulo Freire and Augusto Boal. The program uses popular education methods in classes and workshops to provide activists with basic analytical tools, help them examine organizing strategies in a larger context, build leadership skills, deepen awareness of the issues affecting New Yorkers on a daily basis, and increase their involvement in the political life of the city.
Arts at the Brecht
The Brecht Forum invites proposals for visual arts exhibits pertaining to topics of political and cultural interest. We have limited resources and exhibitors or curators “produce” the show themselves. Please submit proposal, documentation and other supporting materials (lmestres@brechtforum.org.).
Registration & Fees
Most of our activities have a sliding scale suggested donation and no one is turned away for inability to pay. As these funds only cover a portion of our costs, we ask all who can afford to give the higher amount to do so.
Pre-registration is encouraged, but is not required except when indicated.
Become a Brecht Forum SUBSCRIBER!
With a pledge of $15 per month or more you become a Brecht Forum Subscriber and receive a Subscriber Card entitling you to free admission to all classes (with the exception of language classes), lectures and discounts on selected seminars & special events.