Join the NannyVan and NYC domestic worker groups in front of the Queens Museum to celebrate International Domestic Workers Day at the Queens Museum with food and family-friendly festivities honoring nannies, housecleaners, and caregivers whose work makes all other work possible. A bright orange mobile design studio + sound lab created by Studio REV- (lead artist: Marisa Jahn) and the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the NannyVan will unpack to reveal colorful roll-out carts chock full of handy resources and activities, and set the stage for the Domestic Worker Talent and Culture Show “€“ with a lineup featuring smart and snappy street theatre, soul-moving (and foot-stomping) song and dance, global fashion, and much more.

CONTEXT

 Right now is an exciting time for domestic workers around the country! Thanks to a worker-led movement fighting for change nationwide, New York passed the first landmark Bill of Rights in 2010, with California and Hawaii following suit in 2013 and victory on the horizon in Massachusetts in 2014. Legal recognition of nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers as workers means that we as a society publicly value carework as the work that makes all other work possible. Besides strengthening the economic security of domestic workers who are predominantly women, working women nationwide seek support for providing fair care employment practices when hiring those who care for their families. The challenge faced by working mothers originates in larger systemic and historical patterns: the massive entry of women into the labor force since the 1970s has not been met with generous public policies related to maternity leave, family leave, child care or elder care. It’s no surprise then that home care is one of the fastest growing industries in our economy.

The NannyVan responds to the need for informing workers “€” 98% of domestic workers in NY remain unaware of the new law and their rights “€” and elevating the visibility of domestic work and the growing movement. Wemeet domestic workers where they’re at “€” at nanny training workshops, in the park, and on the streets. Through creative workshops, Team NannyVan creates resources for domestic workers from know-your-rights flyers to multimedia tools to the Domestic Worker App “€” a unique interactive multimedia tool, accessible by any kind of phone, that’s even been showcased at the White House. Through these resources, the NannyVan and Domestic Worker App connect nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers to each other and with need-to-know essentials.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

Created by Studio REV- (lead artist: Marisa Jahn) and the National Domestic Workers Alliance The NannyVan is a bright orange mobile design studio and sound lab that accelerates the movement for domestic workers’ rights nationwide. Check it out The NannyVan in The New York Times and Hyperallergic! www.nannyvan.org

REV- (as in to rev an engine) is a nonprofit studio whose public art projects combine creativity, bold ideas, and sound research to address critical issues. We are a women and minority-led team of artists, techies, media makers, low-wage workers, immigrants, and teens producing work to impact the issues we face. www.studiorev.org

The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) is the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States, most of whom are women. www.domesticworkers.org