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.
June 1, 2024
The city of Mississauga, Ontario, approved its first Musician Fair Pay Policy, marking a significant step toward recognizing and valuing the contributions of musicians within the local art scene. The policy is one of the first in Canada to set a minimum payment for musicians that perform at city-produced events. It’s the result of Music Strategy: […]
May 1, 2024
“Stand faithfully by your friends and elect them. Oppose your enemies and defeat them.” That is the political policy of the AFL-CIO, and one that the AFM has subscribed to for decades. The unquestionable truth of it motivated the AFM International Executive Board (IEB), in its first quarterly meeting of 2024, to endorse US President […]
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 […]
April 29, 2024
The official provider for .MUSIC domains is now offering priority registration to AFM members to secure .MUSIC domain name(s) linked to their songwriter, artist, or brand name free for one year. .MUSIC provides a recognized, trusted, and verified music-centric internet profile. Every .MUSIC will also receive a free SmartBadge, which acts as a QR code […]
April 21, 2024
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Alan Willaert, American Federation of Musicians Vice President from Canada and Director of Canadian Affairs, on April 18, 2024. Alan was a passionate and tenacious advocate for Canadian musicians—whether at contract negotiations or speaking about the impact of legislation before parliament. […]
April 21, 2024
AFM President Emeritus Victor W. “Vic” Fuentealba passed away April 17 at age 101. A proud AFM member for more than 80 years, he first joined the union in 1941, when he was performing with the Pete Santora Big Band at Haussner’s Rathskeller in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a member of Bob Craig’s orchestra just prior […]
April 20, 2024
In April, successor theatrical musical Pamphlet B and Short Engagement Tour (SET) agreements, negotiated with the Broadway League and Disney Theatrical Productions, Inc., were ratified by the bargaining unit. The agreement became effective April 15 and will run until February 28, 2027. Retroactive pay and related items are due for musicians on shows that were […]
March 7, 2024
AFM musicians joined thousands in solidarity at the “Many Crafts, One Fight” negotiations kickoff rally March 3 hosted by International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and Hollywood Basic Crafts unions as they headed into their negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Hot on the heels of the recent bargaining […]
March 1, 2024
It’s Tax Time: Make It Easy on Yourself To help streamline your 2023 returns, here are some of the new and enhanced programs issued by the IRS in 2024. Taxes can be complicated for musicians. Which form? What can I claim? E-file, where? To help you sort it all out, we outlined a few basic […]
January 23, 2024
A little rain couldn’t dampen the high spirits of close to 300 AFM members and supporters during a morning rally and press conference on January 22 in front of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) headquarters in Sherman Oaks, California, on the first day of negotiations for the Motion Picture/TV Film contract. […]