NEW YORK, NY – March 18, 2020 – In response to the public health crisis brought on by COVID-19 (coronavirus), members of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) issued the following statement: COBUG represents artists and workers who create theatre, opera, dance, and concerts on Broadway, at Lincoln Center, and at venues across the city. New York’s cultural performing arts institutions are key drivers to New York’s economy. The role that nearly 100,000 arts workers play cannot be overstated. The suspension of performances across the city will take a massive financial toll on our members as well as New York’s economy. By shuttering productions, fundamental economic lifelines have been cut for those who spend thei... Read More -->
MyAGMA
AGMA National Headquarters Announcement
Until further notice, AGMA staff will cease commuting into its national headquarters and begin working remotely. AGMA had already paused business travel and implemented other exposure-reducing measures, including cross-training staff and replacing in-person meetings with video conferences. Day-to-day workflow and operations will not be interrupted. As echoed by many organizations across the country and globe, this will greatly minimize exposure and ensure the health and well-being of our staff and members. AGMA will continue to monitor this ongoing, rapidly-developing crisis and make responsible adjustments as needed. ... Read More -->
Joyce DiDonato and Piotr Beczala Perform, Raise Funds Via Live Stream
Joyce DiDonato and Piotr Beczala livestreamed a 90-minute performance from Joyce’s living room yesterday, March 16. The duo was accompanied by Met assistant conductor, Howard Watkins, and principal harp, Emmanuel Ceysson. To help to alleviate the dire financial straits artists now face in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, viewers were encouraged to make donations to the AGMA Relief Fund and Artist Relief Tree. Read the full story on Billboard. AGMA will update this post when the link to the full performance becomes available. Any AGMA member in good standing, or on honorable withdrawal, is entitled and encouraged to apply for financial assistance through the AGMA Relief Fund. Please visit agmarelief.org to begin the... Read More -->
AGMA Statement on Need for Economic Relief for Artists, the Arts
AGMA calls upon the federal government and city and state governments in which our members work to pass immediate, substantial economic relief for our signatory companies and all non-profit arts organizations likely to be shuttered in response to COVID-19. The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is monitoring the ever-growing list of entertainment events and productions that have been limited, canceled, suspended, or postponed indefinitely due to this pandemic. AGMA understands that this is necessary, that public health should ALWAYS be placed in front of businesses’ bottom lines. However, AGMA’s main priority is, and will remain, protecting the health and employment of our 7,000 members. Our artists rely on... Read More -->
Joyce DiDonato Talks Agrippina with MET Creative Director
Joyce DiDonato in Agrippina (Marty Sohl / Met Opera) Playbill published a Q&A between recent Grammy-winning AGMA member, Joyce DiDonato, and Matt Dobkin, Creative Director at Metropolitan Opera. “Joyce DiDonato is not only an extraordinary artist, she’s also a killer interview. I’ve interviewed her many times and worked with her on photo shoots and her Live in HD hosting gigs – she is a total dream,” Dobkin told AGMA. DiDonato is currently starring in the first-ever Met production of Agrippina. The new production of Handel's satirical opera by Sir David McVicar runs through this Saturday, March 7. The short interview dives the production from the importance of its score to the ominous parallels between... Read More -->
AGMA COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE
Table of Contents AGMA Relief Fund Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook and Related Documents Resources/Grants for AGMA Members Unemployment/PUA Guidance AGMA Health Plan and Retirement Fund Announcements 9/15/2022 - Updated Guidance and Latest CDC Recs Open the updated COVID-19 guidance here. 3/10/2022 - Two Years Later: Different, but Strong It is hard to believe that we are approaching the two-year mark of the unofficial start of the pandemic in the United States. Continue Reading. 3/9/2022 - AGMA Releases Updated COVID-19 Guidance Open the updated COVID-19 guidance here. 3/4/2022 - CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Fund Still Accepting Applications The CA COVID-19 Rent Rel... Read More -->
AGMA RESOURCES FOR MEMBERS REGARDING CORONAVIRUS
CORONAVIRUS The CDC explained that a sustained outbreak in the United States could lead to “severe disruptions.” For that reason, AGMA is focusing its response to the Coronavirus around how we can maintain business continuity, and related issues, if an outbreak becomes more severe. AGMA is monitoring federal, state and local authorities to ensure that updates and relevant information are being shared with our members. We have also begun conversations with some of our AGMA employers so we can ensure a safe and healthy workplace for our members. We will continue to monitor the situation, seek guidance and best practices from the appropriate health authorities, and share additional information as it ... Read More -->
[Updated] Union Disciplinary Charges Filed Against Plácido Domingo
On Friday, February 28, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced to its members that formal union disciplinary charges were filed against opera singer Plácido Domingo. This came three days after the Union confirmed its investigation had concluded and had substantiated sexual harassment allegations against Mr. Domingo. “AGMA stands with the brave individuals who came forward and fought against the crisis of sexual harassment that greatly pervades our industries,” said Ray Menard, AGMA President, who filed the charges in his capacity as a member of AGMA. “Given the seriousness of the confirmed allegations, and the number of members who have been affected, I believe the right, and only thing to do at this stage is ... Read More -->
AGMA Corrects Misleading Statements Relating to Proposed Settlement
This afternoon, The New York Times published a piece titled “Disclosure of Plácido Domingo Allegations Scuttles $500,000 Deal.” AGMA seeks to clarify the misperceptions of this article and in recent reports by NPR: the anticipated fine, to our knowledge the largest to be imposed on a union member, was NOT in exchange for AGMA’s silence or to make any “secret deal.” The potential fine was part of a series of proposed measures to resolve potential internal union discipline which included: a lengthy suspension; mandatory training/coaching; and a sincere public apology. In addition to offsetting AGMA’s legal fees incurred in the investigation, the fine was earmarked to support the Union’s ongoing efforts and new initia... Read More -->
Union Investigation Confirms Allegations Against Plácido Domingo
NEW YORK CITY - On September 6, 2019, The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced the union had retained an independent investigator to examine allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination made by AGMA members against Plácido Domingo. The investigation concluded that Mr. Domingo had, in fact, engaged in inappropriate activity, ranging from flirtation to sexual advances, in and outside of the workplace. Many of the witnesses expressed fear of retaliation in the industry as their reason for not coming forward sooner. The AGMA Board of Governors has accepted the findings of the report and will take appropriate action. “AGMA is the connective tissue of our industry. We owed it to our members to conduct... Read More -->