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.
July 28, 2020
en français It’s April of 2018, and “Fred” (not his real name) from Hamilton, Ontario, has qualified for the Ontario Basic Income (OBI) pilot project. Disabled, he had been relying solely on the Ontario Disability Support Programme (ODSP) to cover his rent and other day-to-day expenses, while also relying on food banks for meals. The […]
July 28, 2020
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has joined with other members of the music community to launch the “Fair Trade of Music” campaign to fight for the fair and equal treatment of music creators when their music is played in markets around the world. Many countries currently discriminate against […]
June 29, 2020
We are in the most dangerous moment of my lifetime, but the reason is not the obvious one you may think. The real danger is that we lose our will and give up. Instead, let’s use this time to do our internal work, build strength, and dream. I draw strength from my local, AFM 105 […]
June 29, 2020
Now Comes the Fun Part
June 29, 2020
Online Content Must Still Be Protected The new reality of COVID-19 has seen more musicians offer their performances online as physical venues are shut down. But self-produced online content must still be protected, and AFM has developed the Joint Venture Agreement specifically for that purpose. The Joint Venture Agreement evolved from AFM’s “Bandstand Records” guidelines, […]
June 29, 2020
I have always associated summer with a time to relax just a bit, attend concerts at outdoor venues, barbecue with family and friends, and yes, recharge the batteries for the upcoming fall season. This summer will be so different. All the summer activities I’ve come to enjoy year after year will either be changed significantly […]
June 29, 2020
The unconscionable displays of racism in America during the past weeks and months have prompted millions of people around the world to take to the streets in protest over the inhuman, intolerable cruelty that black Americans have endured from this nation’s system of criminal justice. The protests have come against the background of the global […]
June 22, 2020
Clearly, the new normal will be nothing like the old, and we may be stuck with it for quite some time. Make sure you have the AFM in your corner. Don’t go out into this new reality alone and unprepared.
June 4, 2020
There will be many lessons learned by all of us as individuals and together as a country while we navigate our way through the current crisis
June 2, 2020
Ray partnered with the Federation to develop a four-part virtual series featuring a fundraising portal that would accept donations for relief funds to help AFM freelance musicians whose jobs were lost due to the COVID-19 lockdown.