On April 15, 2025, faculty, students, and SAIC community members marched in a circle outside the SAIC Sharp Building, protesting in support of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Workers United. Much like the prior protest outside of the MacLean and Lakeview buildings on April 9, this was done to show solidarity with the bargaining committee before a bargaining meeting with the school later that same day. The protest included the AICWU teal lion mascot head as well as bright yellow balloons with phrases like “fair contract now” written on them in Sharpie.
“I’m here because I’m a lecturer, and when I was hired at SAIC, I was told by my professional network across the country that SAIC was a great place to build a life for non-tenure track faculty. And I’m out here today to turn that reputation into a reality,” said Garrett Leroy Johnson, a lecturer in the Art and Technology/Sound Practices department.
