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
As we enter the fifth month of the pandemic, the live entertainment industry is still shutdown. With Depression-era unemployment and with the virus out of control, no one knows when it will be safe enough to reopen our performance venues, to end this isolation, reconnect with our audiences and with each other. In this period […]
July 28, 2020
Having lived in New York City for over 40 years, I’ve learned that a very important part of what makes this vibrant, pulsating, multi-cultural city so special is the people who live here and the tourists who visit. During normal times, walking around the five boroughs of New York can be like a world tour. […]
July 28, 2020
From the Theatre, Touring, and Booking Division The Broadway League announced in late June that Broadway performances in New York City will be suspended through the remainder of 2020 due to COVID-19. Returning productions are currently projected to resume performances over a series of rolling dates in early 2021. As we navigate through the current […]
July 28, 2020
Generally, in February, during Black History Month, we look back and honor great Black leaders—we remember their words, we reflect on their impact, we create a space where for one whole month we recognize the achievements of Black Americans to our society and to our world. But quickly thereafter, we go back to business as […]
July 28, 2020
in English par Alan Willaert, vice-président de la FAM pour le Canada Nous sommes en avril 2018 et Frédéric (nom fictif), de Hamilton, s’est qualifié pour le projet pilote de l’Ontario portant sur le revenu de base. Handicapé, il ne pouvait compter jusque-là que sur le Programme ontarien de soutien aux personneshandicapées pour payer son […]
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, […]