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.
May 1, 2024
by Allistair Elliott, AFM International Representative for Canadian Locals In 2019, a new Passenger Bill of Rights provided musicians some protection when travelling with instruments on airlines in Canada. This was a significant step that, for the first time, recognized musicians with instruments on Canadian airlines as a specific group. It created an accountability structure […]
March 1, 2024
Get a Head Start on Your Taxes Using CRA’s Digital Services It’s tax season again. Many of us put off filing our income tax and benefit returns until the last minute or avoid filing altogether. By not filing, you might be missing out on certain benefit and credit payments, or a potential refund. Electronic Filing […]
January 1, 2024
Unfortunately, finding success as an independent musician often requires more than high musical proficiency and a professional working demeanor. As most of our freelance musicians already know, you’re a small business and quite a bit of work is required outside of your performance. Here are a few things to think about, as well as a […]
December 30, 2023
Contract negotiations for AFM’s Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture Agreements with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) will begin January 22 in Los Angeles, California. Planning for the upcoming negotiations began in 2021 with the steering committee and rank-and-file musicians collaborating with the AFM director of organizing to […]
September 28, 2023
TSA Airport Security Screening Update It’s important to be aware that the TSA is in the process of updating security scanners at airports across the country. These new TSA screeners are smaller than previous equipment, and are causing delays and burdensome confusion for some musicians. The new machines’ smaller entry size (24.5″ W x 16.5″ […]
April 1, 2023
It’s a musician’s dream to play to a packed house. Yet for many, it comes with a cost. Paralyzing anxiety, often called stage fright, can derail concentration and sabotage your ability to play well. The autonomic nervous system emits a rush of adrenaline to prepare your body for a perceived threat, called a fight or […]
March 1, 2023
The reality of our chosen career path as professional musicians is that our creative vocation is a business. While we musicians spend a lot of time and effort constantly improving our musical abilities, talent and musical prowess alone are no guarantee of success in the music business. A little savvy with all the nonmusical aspects […]
January 29, 2023
by Jennifer Garner, AFM In-House Counsel The AFM is suing NBCUniversal on behalf of scores, or potentially hundreds, of individual musicians for NBC’s habitual breaches of more than a dozen of its obligations under the Television Videotape Agreement. NBC is holding wages and allied benefits hostage, even those that are undisputed, in retaliation for the […]
January 1, 2023
by Wages Argott, AFM Director of Freelance Services and Membership Development As we reach the close of 2022, my first full calendar year at the helm of our Freelance Services Department, I can’t help but find encouragement and sense a large measure of hope for our freelance musician community. Rather than waiting for the industry […]
January 1, 2023
An exclusive benefit of AFM membership, GoPro Hosting offers members space for websites, domain name registration, and unlimited email addresses. With more than 400 clients, GoPro Hostinghas helped many members establish their web presence—a necessity for indie and freelance musicians, in particular. The AFM is uniquely suited to serve the web hosting needs of musicians—at […]