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Freelance versus Full-time: The Gig Economy
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A workforce comprised of people taking on "gigs" rather than a single full-time job is the next step in the economic evolution. A study by Intuit, owner of Turbo Tax, predicts that by 2020 some 43 percent of American workers will be independent contractors. A mobile workforce, digitization, and a new technology-savvy generation of employees are all contributing factors. From Uber drivers to Airbnb owners, this new workforce seemingly enjoys flexibility and additional income. Yet traditional company benefits such as health insurance, worker protection, fair pay, and sick leave are usually not available to freelance workers.
This Thursday, October 12 at 7pm the BMI will present the second in a series of programs exploring challenges facing industry today. Issues in Industry: The Gig Economy will feature fashion designer Keisha Ransome, Sentimental Fools owner Jessica Rutherford, FullBlast STEAM founder Muhammad Najee-ullah, and Assistant Professor of History at the University of Baltimore Joshua Clark Davis (moderator) for a roundtable discussion on the issues and opportunities created through the "gig economy."
The event is free and open to the public.
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Freelance work is a longstanding phenomenon; Baltimore's early garment manufacturing began as a cottage industry in which entrepreneurs worked from their basements to produce slops (loose-fitting clothing) for sailors. Pictured: BMI Garment Loft. Photo by Brian Kutner
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Art, Industry & Making a Living While Pursuing a Passion
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We're delighted to share this video by Comcast Creative, featuring the BMI's current temporary exhibit, REINVENTION: The Work of Chris Bathgate. Baltimore-based sculptor Chris Bathgate and BMI executive director Anita Kassof discuss the connections between manufacturing and art, and the ways that Bathgate's unique sculptural and engineering practices are honoring the past and shaping the future of Baltimore industry
----while producing beautiful art. Bathgate uses repurposed industrial tools to create machined metal sculptures, showing how the absence of function can reveal design and inspire imagination.
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| Baltimore Museum of Industry // Chris Bathgate |
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Image credit: Chris Bathgate |
Meet Chris Bathgate and learn more about his work on Thursday, November 9 from 7pm-8:30pm at Working Artists, a free program presented as part of our Issues in Industry series.
Hear from full-time working artists about pursuing a passion while making a living through a panel discussion moderated by Cara Ober of Bmore Art. REINVENTION: The Work of Chris Bathgate is on display through March 11, 2018.
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Celebrate Archives Month with the BMI...
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October is American Archives Month, and the BMI is pleased to announce several exciting initiatives and opportunities.
On Saturday, October 21, find us at the
2017 Archives Fair at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Our Archives staff and volunteers will be on hand to share details about some of the highlights in our collection including Bendix artifacts, Bethlehem Steel ship plans, and the BGE photo collection. They'll share tips on how to do research at the BMI and the breadth of industries covered by the BMI library and archives.
Follow us on social media throughout October to see our #ArchivesChallenge with the B&O Railroad Museum. Each week, the BMI and the B&O archives will challenge each other to find and share rarely-seen photos, objects, and more that relate to weekly themes. Find the B&O Collections & Archives on Instagram at borailroad_collections.
Throughout fall, the BMI Archives, Collections and Research Center will undergo exciting renovations and upgrades to improve collections care and provide a better space to serve our researchers and archives visitors. Until approximately December 31, the Archives will be closed for on-site research visits; however, our staff and volunteers will be delighted to accommodate requests at our off-site warehouse facility. Please note, these and other requests may experience a longer wait time for processing. For more information, please contact archivist Matt Shirko at
mshirko@thebmi.org or 410.727.4808 x112.
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And Baltimore Architecture Month too!
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Celebrate Baltimore Architecture Month with two events this month.
On Sunday, October 22 from 2pm to 3:30pm we present The Industrial Valley: Two Centuries of Manufacturing Along the Jones Falls. Nathan Dennies of the Greater Hampden Heritage Alliance will discuss the industrial legacy of the Jones Falls region, including the grist mills of the late 18th century, textile mills in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the lighter manufacturers that took their place. Using photos from the BMI's historic collection and other sources, Dennies will explore the history of the area's buildings and factories, and tell the stories of the people who lived and worked there, and those that continue the area's industrial tradition today. Don't forget to explore the BMI's machine shop, garment loft, and more during your visit! Click
here to access a coupon for discount admission to the museum and Industrial Valley program on October 22.
Join us at
Doors Open Baltimore, a city-wide celebration of preservation and architecture, as we highlight the many striking and surprising architectural features throughout the BMI campus.
On Saturday, October 28 from 10am to 4pm, discover the architecture of the BMI at a free open house. Attend our free program at 10:30am as architect Tom Liebel teaches us how to read a historical building using the museum campus as a case study.
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Discover Working Point at Doors Open Baltimore on Oct 28. Working Point © David A. Hess 1997
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The BMI's architectural elements all help to tell the story of Baltimore's industrial legacy and the companies and workers who helped envision it, including our Working Point sculpture (named for the point on an architectural drawing used as a reference for measurements), Waterfront Pavilion (built to the design of a 19th century market building) and Knabe Cupola (a decorative feature that once sat atop the Knabe piano factory). We hope you will join us at the museum and online (where we'll post images and photos) to learn more and share your connections.
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Upcoming Programs at the BMI
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Issues in Industry: The Gig Economy Join fashion designer Keisha Ransome, Sentimental Fools owner Jessica Rutherford, and FullBlast STEAM founder Muhammad Najee-ullah for a roundtable discussion on the issues and opportunities created through the "gig economy." Moderated by Joshua Clark Davis, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Baltimore.
WHEN Thurs, Oct 12 / 7pm-8:30pm
COST Free
Free Fall Baltimore at the BMI The BMI will host the Baltimore Children's Business Fair (1pm-4pm), showcasing the entrepreneurial genius of kids ages 6-14, during an open house as part of Free Fall Baltimore
----the citywide celebration of arts and culture.
WHEN Sun, Oct 15 / 10am-4pm
COST Free
Homeschool Days The BMI is pleased to offer special days for homeschool families to experience the BMI, including three days offered in partnership with The Walters Art Museum. Please click
here
to learn more.
Please note, registration for our October 19 Homeschool Day with the Walters closes Wednesday, October 11!
The Industrial Valley: Two Centuries of Manufacturing Along the Jones Falls Nathan Dennies of the Greater Hampden Heritage Alliance will discuss the grist mills of the late 18th century, textile mills in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the lighter manufacturers that took their place.
WHEN Sun, Oct 22 / 2pm-3:30pm
COST Included with admission
Doors Open Baltimore at the BMI Learn how to read a historic building with architect Tom Liebel, using the museum campus as a case study. Discover the architecture of the BMI, including the Platt oyster cannery (1865), Knabe Cupola (1869), Hercules Shipbuilding Co. building (1941) & more.
WHEN Sat, Oct 28 / 10:30am program / 10am-4pm open house
COST Free
Issues in Industry: Working Artists Hear from full-time working artists
----including self-trained machinist Chris Bathgate
----about pursuing a passion while making a living. Panel moderated by Cara Ober of Bmore Art.
WHEN Thurs, Nov 9 / 7pm-8:30pm
COST Free
Printmaking Workshop Print personalized holiday cards with artist Eric Leland using the museum's presses, linotype slugs, and woodcut of our iconic crane.
WHEN Sun, Nov 12 / 1pm-4pm
COST $35 members / $45 non-members / Advance registration required / Register
online
Local Beer & Wine Tasting Join Hugh Sisson & Al Spoler, co-hosts of Cellar Notes on WYPR, for an evening of local beer, wine, and fare pairings.
WHEN Thurs, Dec 7 / 6pm
COST $35 members / $45 non-members / Advance registration required / Register
online
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