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.
Dan Beck, Trustee – Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF)
May 1, 2025
On March 25, students at Bucher Elementary School embarked on a thrilling music adventure with the Music in the Schools program and Local 294’s “Around the World in 50 Minutes! A Supersonic Musical Journey with the Sensational String Family.” The program introduced the young learners to stringed instruments, showcasing the vibrant sounds and unique characteristics […]
March 1, 2025
As we all began to escape the COVID nightmare in early 2022, reorganizing live events and reactivating community programs was a huge challenge. It took time to regain traction. Meanwhile, the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) was experiencing an upswing in annual revenue, and we were eager to find ways to distribute our grants in […]
November 29, 2024
Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District became a hub of musical inspiration and learning as Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) musicians, members of Local 579 (Jackson, MS), brought live music education to students, teachers, and local partners on October 17. Supported by Save The Music Foundation (STM) and the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), the event marked […]
September 1, 2024
Over the past 25 years, the recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) experienced an extraordinarily long fall from grace due to advances of technology that annihilated physical music products. Conversely, a steady climb from that abyss brought us full circle to the MPTF of today. As in the Rolling Stone’s refrain, “You can’t always […]
May 1, 2024
Life has been good for the recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) since streaming revenues began to arrive in early 2017. The very good news is that, in the last decade, MPTF grant distribution has increased tenfold. We have just concluded our 2023-2024 fiscal year, delivering approximately $5 million for musician performances throughout North […]
April 29, 2024
Applications for 2024 Music Performance Trust Fund scholarships are being accepted through May 31. The MPTF Scholarship initiative supports the children of musicians through Music Family Scholarships, and helps future musicians through Music’s Future Scholarships. A minimum of $150,000 will be awarded to students in the Fall of 2024 through two scholarship programs: ♦Music Family […]
February 1, 2024
Over the past five years, the recording industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) has enjoyed renewed revenue afforded by the more recent labor agreements between the AFM and the major labels. The MPTF has, in response, greatly ramped up the distribution of grants for admission-free performances across North America. The grant budget has grown from […]
January 1, 2024
Local 293 (Hamilton, ON) secured funding from the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) to sponsor a Fall School Concert Tour with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) throughout the Hamilton-Wentworth School District’s 13 secondary schools. “We managed to get MPTF funding for 16 in-school performances and one big Christmas presentation at First Ontario Concert Hall,” says Local […]
December 1, 2023
Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) livestreamed concerts and MusicianFest senior center events bring admission-free live music experiences directly to young and old. This year, Sue Moore, secretary-treasurer at Local 518 (Kingston, ON), came to our grant team with a unique idea to combine the two programs. James Mackenzie, of Local 518, had been dedicated to […]
June 1, 2023
The Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) fiscal year ended April 30, marked a huge leap in grant distribution, from $2.5 million to over $3.7 million. This 48% increase was another step in balancing the grant distribution proportionately with annual revenues. Grant funding has grown dramatically since the pivotal 2017 labor agreement between the major record […]