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.
February 1, 2019
IM -In January, the League of American Orchestras launched a three-year pilot program of annual grants to adult and youth orchestras that aim to advance their understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and to foster effective EDI practices. Supported by a three-year $2.1 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Catalyst Fund will address the fact that enduring change requires orchestras to confront their beliefs, behaviors, and practices—their cultures.
“Our experience and research confirm that programmatic diversity efforts fall short when not supported by rigorous examination of values and practices and an alignment among stakeholders,” says League of American Orchestras President and CEO Jesse Rosen.
“Despite the artistic excellence and evolution of America’s orchestras, the intractable problem of there being 4% representation of black and Latinx musicians has remained unchanged for some time,” says Mellon Foundation Program Officer Susan Feder. “We are proud to support the launch of the League of American Orchestras’ Catalyst Fund, which acknowledges that the lack of diverse representation is not due to a lack of talent—it’s due to an issue of access.”
League member orchestras that meet eligibility requirements have until February 22 to apply. Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of experts and grant awards will be announced by May 17, 2019. For more details and application information visit The League website: americanorchestras.org.
Selected orchestras will be required to use the $10,000 to $25,000 grants to support the retention of a skilled EDI practitioner to advance EDI learning objectives. Grantees will be linked into a learning community that serves as a platform to share their findings, including a dedicated online forum, as well as remote and in-person discussions.