A new caucus has been established within the American Guild of Musical Artists. The AGMA Black Caucus will empower marginalized voices and bodies to combat systemic racism throughout the opera, dance, and choral music industries, and the larger performing arts community. The Caucus serves to work toward several ongoing objectives. Highlights include: Making Black union members more aware of their rights as members and compelling AGMA to do anti-racist work, within the Union and with its affiliated companies, to foster a stronger relationship between AGMA and its Black membersEnsuring that the Union demands that companies implement policies, training, and hiring procedures that shift workplace culture, advance equity, and ... Read More -->

On Tuesday, July 21, 2020, AGMA sent the following memo to its signatory companies: Dear AGMA Signatory Company, As we near the end of July, AGMA is reaching out again to our companies regarding potential reopening and related safety issues. AGMA remains dedicated to working with you to address the daunting challenges that reopening safely will entail. We must commit to working collaboratively and transparently to address the safety and economic security of your artists and companies. From the onset of the pandemic, AGMA’s foremost concern has been the safety and health of our performing artists and the well-being of the companies through which they share their exquisite talents. Our May memo to companie... Read More -->

6/2/2020 - With discussions on reopening beginning around the country across various industries, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) announced that they have engaged the services of medical experts to assist with COVID-19 safety planning and ensure that their members are protected. The two unions—AGMA, which represents opera performers, choral singers, and dancers, and SDC, representing stage directors and choreographers—will be working with Dr. Mark Cunningham-Hill, Dr. Laura S. Welch, and Dr. Stephen J. Anderson, who have multiple decades worth of experience in protecting the health of employees and maintaining healthy workplaces. “AGMA and SDC are ready to work to... Read More -->

On Sunday, May 31, AGMA released the following statement on social media: "The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is made up of diverse Artists who put more beauty into the world by coming together in union to create tremendous works of opera, dance, and song.  It is clear that our society remains unequal and unjust. In recent weeks, the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, and the resulting protests by Americans all over the country, have again reminded us of the plight faced by our black brothers and sisters in America. Black lives matter, and AGMA stands in solidarity with those who are fighting for a more equal and more just future.  We call on elected leaders at all levels of government ... Read More -->

TODAY at 4:00 p.m. PST (7:00 p.m. EST), an accomplished high school choir will host a benefit concert on Zoom to raise funds for the AGMA Relief Fund. Due to COVID-19, in just seven weeks, the AGMA Relief Fund has seen a 2,000% increase in grant dollars given to AGMA artists in crisis. Established in 1945, the viability of the Fund is 100% dependent on donations.  San Clemente High School (SCHS) was founded in 1964, and its choral tradition is deep-rooted in its 56-year history. The California high school has five choirs in place, ranging from beginning level ensembles to advanced women’s and mixed ensembles. They’ve toured New York City, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. They regularly perf... Read More -->

Today, the AGMA Relief Fund is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a new global day of giving and unity in response to the needs caused by COVID-19. COVID-19 has made a devastating impact on the Arts. Reports estimate nearly two-thirds of artists across the U.S. are now fully unemployed due to the pandemic. As a result, the AGMA Relief Fund has seen a 2,000% increase in emergency financial assistance granted to AGMA artists. The viability of the AGMA Relief Fund depends on donations. No amount is too little and funds go toward AGMA artists in need during the most catastrophic health and financial crisis in our history. The Arts will play a major role in our nation’s healing, so please help our artists today. Consider... Read More -->

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the AGMA Relief Fund has graciously received donations and support from around the world. Thanks to a film Q&A series on Zoom hosted by the Chicago Media Project (CMP), the AGMA Relief Fund will be included in another call for donations. This Friday, April 10, at 6:00 p.m. CT / 7:00 p.m. ET.,CMP will present a virtual Q&A and discussion with the minds behind the documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway. Special guests include Dava Whisenant, director; Steve Young, star of the documentary/collector; and Hank Beebe, subject/musical composer. Any donations received during this live stream will go to the AGMA Relief Fund and the Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund. Those interested are encouraged to wa... Read More -->

Bernie Sanders' Campaign recently announced it would rally donors for coronavirus relief. Last week, The AGMA Relief Fund was named in the second wave of the call for donations, among a handful of groups “providing critical support during this crisis.” For seven days, Bernie Sanders supporters were encouraged via text message, email, and social media interaction to contribute what they could, noting that donations (unless the donor stated otherwise) would be divided evenly between The AGMA Relief Fund and nine other charities. Thanks to this effort, The AGMA Relief Fund saw over $181,000 in donations enter the Fund. This influx comes at a time the Fund needs it the most, with the number of requests for assistance in the last two ... Read More -->

NEW YORK CITY - 3/27/2020 - AGMA is pleased to report that the House passed the CARES Act by voice vote and the President signed the bill into law. AGMA played an important part in the advocacy for this bill, working with the Department for Professional Employees (DPE) and our sister unions to demand COVID-19 relief benefits for our members. This is a win for all of us. This legislation expands economic relief to artists. This is due to the calls, letter writing, emails, and social media outreach to Congress by AGMA members and the members of our affiliated unions. AGMA applauds the quick action of Congress and the President to protect artists in Opera, Dance, and Choral communities who have been severely impacted by COVID-19 ... Read More -->