AGMA is happy to report that Florida Grand Opera’s new collective bargaining agreement was ratified by AGMA Leadership following unanimous approval by the shop. There have been multiple additions and improvements to the contract language including new sections on Discrimination and Harassment; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); a standing Joint Labor-Management Committee; and COVID-19 safety. Each working group at FGO saw significant gains. Principals now have an industry-standard rest period and access to performance clips, as well as increased protection for Studio Artists when working within AGMA’s jurisdiction. Assistant Stage Managers coming in from out-of-town will now receive company-provided housing to alleviate ... Read More -->

To those impacted by Hurricane Ida: As the storm continues across Louisiana and Mississippi, our thoughts remain with you in the days ahead. With the total loss of power and cell phone service being unavailable, we hope that when this message reaches you, you are safe, along with all those you hold dear. As a reminder, the AGMA Relief Fund is here for AGMA Artists, should you require emergency assistance. To apply, please visit www.agmarelief.org. With its “hardship help,” Union Plus is also here to lend a helping hand when union members and their families need it the most. Given the potentially triggering timing, the same date Hurricane Katrina made landfall, we understand that underlying trauma may be having a great effect... Read More -->

AGMA's August Newsletter was emailed to the membership yesterday (August 24) around 3:00 p.m. ET. Members in good standing that subscribe to the Union's emails should check their inboxes for the latest newsletter. If members didn't receive the newsletter, they should check their spam folders (with Gmail, these newsletters tend to end up in the"Promotions" tab). If members need further assistance, please email communications@musicalartists.org. As a reminder, members can access all of AGMA's newsletters by visiting the AGMA Newsletter Archive on the website (MyAGMA login required). ... Read More -->

The AGMA Black Caucus will meet tomorrow, August 25, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The meeting will cover how to report concerns on the job as an AGMA member, updates as Artists continue to return to work, and potential topics for future meetings. There is still time to register and all Black AGMA Artists in good standing are encouraged to attend. ... Read More -->

AGMA’s Director of Organizing and Outreach Griff Braun spoke with Bloomberg TV about the hopeful return of the performing arts and the power of unions during the pandemic. Also discussed was the AGMA/SDC Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook, The Actors Fund resources that have helped Artists during the last 18 months, and the fortitude of AGMA Artists. You can fast forward to minute mark 17:46 for the AGMA spotlight. Watch here. ... Read More -->

The Actors Fund has announced an 8-week virtual national support group for professional dancers and choreographers who are currently not performing due to injury or as a result of the abrupt halt in the performing industry. The weekly Tuesday meetings will start September 14 and run through November 2, 2021 - 5:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm CT / 2:30 pm PT. Any interested members should email dancersgroup@actorsfund.org. The description is as follows, “Through open discussion and the sharing of resources, this group will provide a safe space for dancers to support one another through current challenges. As a program of The Dancers’ Resource, this group aims to address isolation and help dancers navigate the relationships with thei... Read More -->

AGMA Artists are invited to submit a piece of writing or artwork to the upcoming issue of AGMAzine!  The deadline to contribute to the Fall 2021 issue has been extended to September 8, 2021. Email submissions and high-resolution photos directly to dbaker@musicalartists.org.  AGMA welcomes articles (100 words to 1,000 words, or somewhere in between) from all AGMA members in good standing. Some examples of topics include: how you’ve managed through the pandemic, personally, professionally, and creatively, and what the future holds for you. Tell us about your first time returning to work since March 2020, what did it look like? Did you continue to create your Art in a different way during the las... Read More -->

Mark your calendars! The AGMA Black Caucus will meet on Wednesday, August 25, at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT. All Black AGMA Artists in good standing are encouraged to join. To receive the Zoom details in advance of the meeting, register here. Please email BlackCaucus@musicalartists.org with any questions or for more information! ... Read More -->

Continue reading for information regarding the ratification process. The AGMA/Lyric Opera of Chicago Negotiating Committee is happy to report we have reached a tentative agreement with Lyric Opera of Chicago. We wish to thank all of the AGMA Artists at Lyric who attended last night’s info session on the tentative agreement! Voting on whether or not to ratify this agreement begins today and will end at midnight (CT) on Saturday, August 14. The negotiating committee fully endorses the ratification of this agreement! AGMA Artists at Lyric Opera eligible to vote on this tentative agreement (those who have contracts for the 21-22 season) should have received an email today around 1:04 p.m. CT. Check your inbox for instructions on th... Read More -->

As part of its free webinar series "Mental Health for Creators and Artists," OPERA America will host “Balancing Caregiving and Personal Care" on August 19 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The description of the webinar is as follows: “According to leading economists, this pandemic will set working women back 10 years in terms of equity and progress. A major contributing factor to this setback is the burden of eldercare and childcare being placed on women far more than on men. Whether remotely caring for older relatives outside the home or working from home while tending to children, the responsibility of family falls to women." Registration is NOT required, and the webinar will be recorded. ... Read More -->