Freelance Services Department 2026

January 1, 2026

Wages Argott  -  AFM Director of Freelance Services and Membership Development

From Vision to Action: A Look at the Growing Movement for Freelance Musicians

As we kick off another year with the annual Freelance Services Department spotlight issue of the International Musician, it may seem a little hackneyed to once again be trumpeting (pun always intended) another new era for the Freelance Services Department and independent musicians across the Federation. There is, however, a greater sense of significance, and certainly, a greater sense of urgency and progress this time.

In 2024, while mostly away from the Freelance Services Department, I worked as the assistant secretary under our wise and witty International Secretary-Treasurer Ken Shirk. One of the primary duties of that position is acting as a scribe for the International Executive Board meetings, intently following every word of our spirited board discussions and staff reports. I quietly noticed a shift in focus, attention, and resources to the kind of issues and freelance organizing work that I had always envisioned for the Freelance Services Department, backed by the support and enthusiasm of all those talented and experienced minds in the room. By the time the Organizing Department introduced its strategic plan, I saw an incredible opportunity and potential to accomplish meaningful work through freelance organizing and support.

I answered the call when International President Gagliardi offered my return to the Freelance director position at the close of 2024 and hit the ground running in 2025. Armed with a supportive administration, a fully staffed and extremely capable Organizing Department, and ace directors of Communications and Education, I journeyed out into the wilds of the US and Canada to both share our vision for freelance organizing and meet as many folks and hear as many stories as I could.

While I’m proud of all the resources and member benefits that the Freelance Services Department offers, in 2025 I wanted to show local officers and members how much more impactful true freelance organizing can be in our musical communities. In collaboration with the Electronic Media Services director and Organizing director, we built a specific freelance organizing focused education module that we presented live at all five regional conferences. Our goal was to make sure that both our educational and conference attendees were armed with all the Federation’s tools and resources to develop strategic plans for their locals and aid efforts to engage independent musicians back home. These efforts have been the catalyst for a movement, and we’ve seen more use of our Freelance Co-funding program than ever before. (See Freelance Co-funding spotlight on page 12.) Even more encouraging has been the genesis of new freelance organizing initiatives and organizing committees at locals across both nations.

2025 also marked the first full year of our music conference and trade show initiative: interfacing directly with working musicians from all genres, mostly freelancers, across the United States and Canada. Through exhibiting at our Federation booth each day, representing at networking events at night, and attending inspiring musical performances after hours, I had the privilege of meeting with musicians from all corners of the United States and Canada. I’ve learned that while all our individual issues as freelance musicians are varied and nuanced, our primary objective is always the same: we deserve fair treatment and compensation for the work we do and the art we love, and the pathway to raising our standards is through collective strength and action.

Perhaps the most significant development of 2025, however, has been the momentum and energy behind a grassroots body of freelance and independent musicians from across the Federation: The Freelance Musicians Association (FMA). With a view to advocating for the specific needs of our independent musicians, the FMA began meeting as a large body in September. The initial FMA meetings gathered musicians from throughout the US and Canada, performing across all genres and disciplines (even folks who may weave in and out of CBA work). Direction for our efforts and truly meaningful work can only come from hearing all the voices that comprise our incredibly diverse membership. The FMA meeting space has offered thoughtful programming with valuable discussion and debate on topics unique to indie musicians. Our vision for the FMA is twofold: to both offer a forum and support for those wishing to start freelance organizing efforts in their own locals or regions, and for this group to gain an official voice within our Federation structure as a recognized player conference. Whatever you call it and whatever the designation, this body will continue to grow and undertake this vital work. (See FMA feature on page 12.)

The plan for 2026? Keep pounding! Our voice must grow stronger and the work must continue, so there are no plans to hold back in the new year. We’re going to enhance our trade show and conference slate by adding more events and and increase our visibility by hosting AFM-sponsored panels at several of the larger international conferences. We’ll continue to involve and showcase the relevant locals at these events and encourage and support similar endeavors in regions, even when international staff aren’t present. A new education module, developed in collaboration with the Organizing Department, is available for presentation directly to members and interested musicians who want to learn more about what it means to be an independent worker in a traditional labor union and how to “Play Your Part.”

And please don’t be discouraged by the lack of mention of the Freelance Department’s in-house resources and membership benefits. Not only will we continue to support all the existing programs, but we’re looking to enhance and add even more. Some of our deeper tech work has been insourced to a WordPress professional from our membership and we’ll be adding a Freelance Services coordinator to accommodate our growth and enhance communication with members and officers.

The takeaway for you, dear reader, is this: You are the union, and ultimately, the fate of our profession and ability to safely and fairly keep doing the work we love is in your hands. While we’re doing some great work on the Federation and local level, don’t wait to get involved. If you want to have a voice, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and come to one of our meetings. Your input is invaluable! If we’re not working on something you need yet, don’t hesitate to reach out and share your vision and ideas. The creativity, passion, and hard work of our musicians built this union, and it’s those qualities that will give us strength to persevere and carry on together.

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