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.
March 13, 2014
IM -The British Government has blocked a plan by the European Union that would have raised money to help young musicians through a levy on the sale of iPads and other tablets. The levy has already been adopted by numerous European Union states and is part of a directive aimed at legalizing the copying of music, such as from CD to tablets, for private use. Set at £10 per device, the levy was meant to compensate musicians for their music being copied across devices for free. The British Musicians Union (MU) has accused ministers of paying too much attention to the interest of technology corporations at the expense of poorly paid artists, who are suffering from losses of sales due to Internet downloads.