Alfonso Pollard

AFM Solidifies Federal Arts Relationships

October 5, 2015

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

2016 AFM Diversity Awards: Recognizing Innovation and Union Building

September 9, 2015

The AFM Diversity Awards were created to recognize outstanding examples of diversity in the Federation. As an arts and entertainment union, our organization is immersed in talent from a strong demographic base that represents every musical genre

Boston Local 9-535, Getting Results

August 31, 2015

This month, as a part of my series highlighting the outstanding legislative work being accomplished across the Federation, I am honored to shine the spotlight on AFM Local 9-535 (Boston, MA) and its president, Patrick Hollenbeck.

TEMPO: One of the AFM’s Most Effective Advocacy Tools

July 6, 2015

The Taskforce for Employment of Musicians Promotional Organization (TEMPO) was established in 1961 when the AFM was steeped in legislative battles over copyright, the Cabaret Tax, and royalty distribution, which followed prior legislative battles over the LEA Act, the National Labor Relations Act, and a host of other federal legislative initiatives

Outstanding Local Legislative Work: Local 47 Uses Legislative Power to Secure Film Scoring Jobs

May 28, 2015

In addition to organizing and contract administration, engaging local and state legislatures remains an important pathway toward job security.

AFM Co-Sponsors Arts Advocacy Day

May 1, 2015

Each spring, Americans for the Arts, one of the nation’s largest, most effective, and most influential arts advocacy organizations, sponsors a week-long summit of activities in the nation’s capital centered on a national day of advocacy/lobbying, Arts Advocacy Day.

Useful AFM Legislative-Political Tools

February 25, 2015

Over the past two years, the AFM Office of Government Relations has developed new tools to help both local officers and our members navigate the many policy and political matters relevant to musicians.

AFM Partners with Government and Airlines to Resolve Long Overdue Inconsistent Policies

January 30, 2015

On December 29, 2014, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx issued a final rule regarding the carriage of musical instruments onboard US air carriers. The rule was published in the Federal Register January 5, 2015 and is scheduled to go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, around March 6.

“Cromnibus” Government Spending Package: What’s in It for the Arts?

December 29, 2014

As the 113th Congress comes to a close and Republicans prepare to take over both chambers, Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle, for both practical and political reasons, battled in the final month of 2014 over passage of government spending priorities.

The New Balance of Power in Washington, DC

December 1, 2014

On November 4, AFM members across the country exercised their rights as they voted in national midterm elections. As Republican candidates picked up victories across the country, important AFM House and Senate champions from both parties were able to retain their seats. Our eyes were set on those who, over the years, have exercised leadership […]