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 18, 2020
During this time of lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders, musicians and music teachers are finding creative ways to teach and earn income.
March 30, 2020
Music has lasting value, but that value is not automatically granted to the creator. Ultimately, it is up to you to stand up for yourself and your rights as a creator of intellectual property by working under an AFM contract.
March 1, 2020
Illegal worker misclassification is a form of payroll fraud used by employers to classify workers who should be considered employees as independent contractors.
November 26, 2019
What a surprise getting the word from President Hair that I was being considered to fill a vacancy on the International Executive Board. It is an honor to accept the appointment, and I promise to serve the membership to the best of my ability. I have been an active AFM member since 1975, when I […]
October 22, 2019
Young members are the future of the AFM, and we welcome your input and involvement to grow the organization in unity and solidarity.
September 16, 2019
Recently elected to the AFM International Executive Board, Ed Malaga of Local 161-710 is looking forward to working on behalf of all AFM musicians.
August 28, 2019
As unprecedented change transforms the music industry, greater are the demands on our union to bargain strategically within myriad sectors. Through an ongoing transformation in consumption, evolving monetization of content, and ever-expanding cross-collateralization of media across platforms, we are challenged to conform our agreements and to respond to new world paradigms. With the process of […]
July 1, 2019
After 14 years and considerable thought, former Local 77 president Joe Parente has decided to not run for re-election to the IEB.
April 17, 2019
This new revenue stream has brought the MPTF back from the dire straits in which the fund found itself just a decade ago.
February 19, 2019
Diversity within our union cannot be celebrated enough. While our membership runs the gamut in ethnicity, musical genre, age, and gender, the paucity of diversity within many of the workplaces in which we have representational duties continues to impede our effectiveness and growth.