On May 22, AGMA officially notified Opera Colorado management of its artists’ desire to unionize, with the hopes that the Company would respect their wishes and voluntarily recognize their Union. Unfortunately, Opera Colorado management rejected voluntary recognition and we've filed for an NLRB election. We will share more details as things progress. ICYMI: On May 22, AGMA announced that the artists of Opera Colorado had signed cards to form a union. At the time, the organizing artists said, “The artists of Opera Colorado are excited to rekindle our relationship with AGMA as we move forward together into this next phase of the company's history. By coming together in union, we look forward to securing the best possible opportuni... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Boston Lyric Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS: COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Compensation increases of:3% for first year4% in the second year 4% in the third year​ Regular pay schedule for soloists, including up-front payments Stage Management overtime threshold lowered from 60 hours to 50 hours​ $2,500 relocation stipend for Production Staff artists required to move to Boston​ Penalty paid by BLO for late-issued Chorus contracts Special payments and revenue sharing for artists enga... Read More -->

2023 was an election year for AGMA! AGMA is a democratic union governed by the AGMA Board of Governors, the primary decision-making body for the Union. The AGMA Board of Governors is made up of elected artists from around the world who are willing to volunteer their time, expertise, and talents to AGMA’s members and the betterment of the Union. AGMA holds an election for its National Officers every four years. Approximately half of AGMA Governors are elected at the same time as the National Officers, while the other half of Governors are elected in off-year elections, held two years in between the National Officer elections. All Officers and Governors serve four-year terms. This was the first Officer election under AGMA’s new... Read More -->

AGMA is proud to be a union with incredible LGBTQIA+ members that have helped shape the performing arts (and the world) for the better. Pride Month is a month of education and celebration. But in the past several years, and in particular, in the last few months, we’ve seen concerted and coordinated efforts to roll back hard-fought freedoms, liberty, and dignity of the LGBTQIA+ community. In April, AGMA shared the ACLU’s nationwide tracking system that documents and categorizes anti-LGBTQ bills. At the time, there were 452 bills. Today, not even two months later, there are 491. This wide-scale effort seeks to erase the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals to safely exist as who they are within their bodies. AGMA once again encourage... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) jointly announce the first collective bargaining agreement between the Union and DMMO. The CBA covers stage management staff. Effective May 1, 2023, through August 31, 2025, the contract, which covers the next three seasons, was recently approved by AGMA leadership after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. A side letter covering the position of Production Stage Manager was also approved. DMMO and the AGMA DMMO Negotiating Committee, representing their fellow staging staff members, came to a mutually beneficial contract.  “AGMA is thrilled to have reached an agreement with DMMO. After negotiating productively and in good faith with DMMO... Read More -->

5/22/2023 – The wave of artists organizing across the country continues as the artists of Opera Colorado have signed cards to form a union and join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). “Opera professionals see the value in collective power and speaking with one voice. We are thrilled to have artists from another longstanding Colorado opera house come together in union. AGMA looks forward to welcoming these artists, and supporting them at every stage,” said Griff Braun, AGMA’s National Organizing Director. The organizing artists said, “The artists of Opera Colorado are excited to rekindle our relationship with AGMA as we move forward together into this next phase of the company's history. By coming together... Read More -->

May 18, 2023 - The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Central City Opera (CCO) reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, beginning May 19, 2023, and running through September 1, 2027. The AGMA Board of Governors, acting through its Executive Council, ratified the agreement earlier today. “This was a long and challenging negotiation, but, in the end, we were able to reach an agreement that protects the safety and welfare of artists working at CCO,” said Sam Wheeler, National Executive Director of AGMA. “A lot of people deserve credit for this agreement. Thank you to our incredible Negotiating Committee, to the Central City Opera bargaining unit, to our staff negotiators and outside counsel, to our sibli... Read More -->

The federal government has ended the COVID-19 national and public health emergency declarations. This means that federal government agencies can treat the virus as an endemic threat to public health that can be managed through their normal authorities. It does not mean that COVID is eradicated or that there are not continuing risks to certain populations and those working in certain industries.    Today, AGMA shares with you our Updated Guidance Following Termination of COVID-19 Emergency Declarations. The AGMA Expert Medical Advisory Panel continues to recommend that AGMA signatory companies follow the guidance to keep AGMA members rehearsing and performing safely. ... Read More -->

Yesterday AGMA and CCO met in bargaining for more than 14 hours. We are pleased to report that we are in agreement with CCO on the main issues that had served as an impediment to an agreement. AGMA and CCO are meeting with federal mediators again on Monday, May 15, and anticipate finalizing contract language for a new CBA at that time. The solidarity displayed by the AGMA community carried and motivated our Negotiating Committee through these emotional months. We thank you for your support. We will be back in touch with other details once the agreement is finalized, including information on ratification. ... Read More -->

REMINDER: This upcoming Monday, two AGMA caucuses are coming together for a special presentation! The Staging Staff Caucus and the Opera and Concert Choristers Caucus will host "Supporting One Another (in the Workplace)" on Monday, May 15, at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT. All AGMA staging staff members and AGMA choristers in good standing are encouraged to join! If you have already registered, please do not register again. Zoom details will be sent to you leading up to the event. Details: Moderated jointly by the caucus facilitators, the presentation will cover how AGMA members, specifically staging staff and choristers, can help each other in maintaining work rules and creating a safe, respectful, and supportive working env... Read More -->