Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.

As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.

The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.

Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AFM

Alfonso Pollard



AFM Engages US Partners, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and 183 CITES Signatory Nations at South Africa CoP17 Meeting

For the past 10 years, the AFM has worked diligently with its US Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Coalition partners and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to protect and conserve endangered species, while helping guarantee the legal ownership, use, import-export, and value of musical instruments that contain CITES related materials.

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Convention Delegates Renew Commitment to Legislative and Political Action

The 100th AFM Convention became the forum for our delegates to organize around legislative and political issues that impact the lives of professional musicians. Delegates to the Convention stepped up in very real, tangible ways, committed to support our goal to keep government focused on the honest treatment of musicians impacted by legislation and regulations that might be harmful, if not kept in check.

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Performers Hit Capitol Hill in Support of Performance Rights

The introduction in US Congress of H.R. 1733, the Fair Play Fair Pay Act of 2015, by Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Marsha Blackburn established a new benchmark in the protection of rights for creators whose sound recordings are performed on AM/FM terrestrial radio without a performance right.

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Taking Advantage of Federal Arts Resources

This first edition of the Federal Arts Connection (below) features a few of the resources available. Additional resources will be unveiled each month.

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Washington, DC, Arts Advocacy Season

Late winter and early spring is the time for organized arts advocacy in Washington, DC. AFM President Ray Hair makes an annual trip to Washington, DC, to lend his leadership to our legislative-political mission.

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2016 Actions and Issues that Count

The future of our union depends on creating a platform that supports a legislative-political movement that gives voice to every member

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Election 2016—Make Your Vote Count!

Election 2016—Make Your Vote Count!— Our relationship with affiliate AFL-CIO unions often has us working with members of Congress on a broad range of nonartistic issues such as healthcare, pensions, prevailing wages, and the right to bargain collectively.

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2015 Office of Government Relations Review and Look Ahead for 2016

2015 Office of Government Relations Review and Look Ahead for 2016 — After years of negotiating and lobbying, the AFM, in partnership with the airline carry-on coalition, marked the implementation of a final rule from the Department of Transportation regarding musical instruments as carry-on and checked baggage.

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AFM Helps Establish the Ultimate Music Industry Standard on Capitol Hill

The American film and television industry took center stage on Capitol Hill, October 8, when the US House of Representatives Creative Rights Caucus, co-chaired by Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) and Representative Doug Collins (R-GA), in cooperation with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), led by former Senator Chris Dodd, sponsored the second annual “Beyond […]

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AFM Solidifies Federal Arts Relationships

On August 25, AFM International President Ray Hair traveled to Washington, DC, to strengthen our ties with federal arts leaders. This full day of activity ended with solid gains in our relationships with two of our nation’s most historic and highly valued arts agencies

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