THE AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS AND NEW YORK CITY BALLET REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON NEW CONTRACT
New York, NY (November 14, 2025) — New York City Ballet (NYCB) and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the union of NYCB’s dancers and stage managers, jointly announce that they have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract.
AGMA artists have already voted in favor of the agreement, and it now awaits ratification by the AGMA Board of Governors, scheduled for November 24 at the Board’s monthly meeting.
The new contract includes important agreements that address cost-of-living concerns, artist safety, and overall working conditions, ensuring that NYCB’s dancers and stage managers are supported both on and off the stage.
In making the announcement, NYCB issued the following statement: “New York City Ballet is very pleased to have arrived at a successful conclusion of contract negotiations with AGMA, and we look forward to an exciting and wonderful season featuring the Company’s extraordinary artists as they perform the greatest ballet repertory in the world.”
“We’re incredibly proud of how our entire shop came together during this process,” said the AGMA Negotiating Committee for New York City Ballet. “This agreement reflects not only our unity and dedication to one another, but also our shared commitment to continuing the tradition of excellence that defines New York City Ballet. We look forward to carrying that spirit into the upcoming Nutcracker season and beyond.”
About New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world. The Company was founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became world-renowned for its athletic and contemporary style. Now under the direction of NYCB Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford, NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, and NYCB Executive Director Katherine Brown, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.
About AGMA
The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is the labor union of singers, dancers, and staging staff in opera, ballet and contemporary dance, and concert choral performance in the United States. A national union with a membership of ~7,000 artists, AGMA provides forceful advocacy and defense of its members’ employment and artistic rights. AGMA negotiates and enforces over 70 collective bargaining agreements nationwide, ensuring fair and safe working conditions and enhancing the quality of life for its members. AGMA has a direct charter from the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO Branch of Associated Actors and Artists of America and the Department for Professional Employees (DPE). AGMA is also a part of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG).