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.
Ken Shirk – AFM International Secretary-Treasurer
August 28, 2020
On Friday, August 7, the AFM International Executive Board (IEB) met by Zoom meeting to discuss the possibility of endorsing a candidate in the upcoming US presidential election. All IEB members were present for the meeting. The IEB is very much aware that we have a diverse membership that has views that cover a wide […]
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. […]
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 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
May 6, 2020
AFM Secretary-Treasurer Jay Blumenthal gives an update on coronavirus response, the annual report, conference changes, the 2019 audit and more…
March 30, 2020
We have been working closely with the AFL-CIO Department for Professional Employees Arts, Entertainment and Media Industry unions to advocate for musicians and other creative professionals urging Congress to pass emergency relief legislation.
March 1, 2020
This article, reprinted from Music Connection magazine, explains what the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Distribution Fund does.
February 5, 2020
On January 9, Ken Shirk, assistant to the AFM president, Jon Ferrone, AFM assistant secretary, and I met with the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL) for our annual Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP) meeting. Lorenzo Harrison, OLMS director of program operations, Joy Mitchell, district director (New York District Office), […]
January 6, 2020
There are many reasons why working men and women join a Union. The ability to act and bargain collectively is one of the most important. Time and again we have seen that our strength and power is directly related to our ability to act collectively rather than individually. The same holds true when we act […]
December 13, 2019
Budgeting is not an exact science, but rather a best guess estimate based on past actuals and the expectations for the upcoming year.