The full U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has approved the funding necessary for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to continue functioning in the coming fiscal year. This comes after the House Appropriations subcommittees responsible for NEA, NEH, and CPB funding approved the same funding levels during markups last week. On Tuesday evening, the full House Appropriations Committee met and approved $145 million in FY 2018 funding for the NEA and NEH each with the passage of the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. The money allotted by the committee is $5 million less than Fiscal Year 2017 funding levels... Read More -->

A diverse group of employers—ranging from the Motion Picture Association of America to the Tulsa Ballet—united with unions representing professionals from across the arts and entertainment industry to support continued full funding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in Fiscal Year 2018. The unions, affiliates of the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE), represent actors, musicians, dancers, stagehands, and many other entertainment professionals. In a letter sent to Congress today, the union-employer coalition urged members to maintain current funding levels for the NEA, NEH, and the CPB in next year’s budget... Read More -->

The Sacramento Ballet Artists Voted 23-1 in favor of Joining the American Guild of Musical Artists. Sacramento, CA (April 24, 2017) – The Dancers, Stage Managers and Apprentices who comprise the Artists of Sacramento Ballet voted overwhelmingly to be represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the national labor union that represents dancers, singers, and stage production staff in dance and opera companies throughout the US. The election, conducted on Friday by the National Labor Relations Board, resulted in a vote of 23-1 in favor of AGMA.  This marks the second Ballet company in only the past two months to elect to join the ranks of companies represented by AGMA.  Just last month, the Artists of Sarasota Ballet... Read More -->

Ballots for the election of members to the Board of Governors are in the mail. Please take the time to fill out your ballot and return it to the National Office. Remember, AGMA is run by the members for the members, so voting for the candidates of your choice is your opportunity to have a voice in how the business of the union is conducted. Only areas that have open seats or candidates running for a Board seat will receive an election ballot. However, everyone will receive a referenda ballot. On this ballot you are asked to vote on two separate items, which, if passed, will be effective January 1, 2018. The first is an increase in Initiation Fees, which have not been increased since 1985, and the second is an increase is basic dues, w... Read More -->

On the eve of Donald Trump’s Inauguration, The Hill newspaper reported that the President's Transition Team recommended that the then President-elect eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. With so much change coming so quickly, arts advocates need to organize. We need to raise our collective and individual voices with precision and in a unified manner. The new Administration and Congress will be moving quickly, so we need to educate people and act NOW. Did you know that, according to the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, arts and cultural industries contribute 4.23 percent, or $704.2 billio... Read More -->

The Sarasota Ballet, their dancers and AGMA enter negotiations for a labor contract. The Sarasota Ballet announces today that the Company joins the top national ballet companies in America by voting to join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). AGMA represents dancers, singers and stage production staff in dance and opera companies throughout the United States. A secret ballot vote was held based upon mutual agreement between The Sarasota Ballet and AGMA. Based on the results of the election, The Sarasota Ballet has recognized AGMA as the exclusive bargaining representative of the dancers. Negotiations for a first contract are expected to commence within a couple of weeks. “This is an understandable step in the growth of The Sar... Read More -->

The Actors Fund and Mount Sinai Doctors announced plans to open a new health center for the performing arts and entertainment community in New York City.     Scheduled to open in March 2017 at The Actors Fund’s headquarters, conveniently located at 729 Seventh Avenue between 48th and 49th Street in Times Square, The Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts will serve as the medical care provider that is solely focused on the particular health care needs of the entertainment and performing arts community. Operated in partnership with The Actors Fund and Mount Sinai Doctors, The Friedman Health Center offers primary and specialty care, expedited referrals to physicians within the Mount Sinai Health Sy... Read More -->