Elections for the American Guild of Musical Artists National Officers and the Board of Governors will take place on May 17, 2019.  Eligible AGMA members may submit a petition for either an Officer or Governor position. Only official AGMA petition forms will be accepted. Please ensure that the petition used states “Official AGMA Election Petition” at the top of the page. Serving as an Officer or Governor is your opportunity to represent your colleagues and have a voice in conducting the business of the union. A complete set of election rules and materials have been posted on AGMA’s website. Please log in to MyAGMA, and select "2019 National Election" from under the MyAGMA menu - or if you are already logged in, you may directly ac... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) fully supports the Chicago Federation of Musicians and the Orchestra at Lyric Opera in their efforts to obtain a fair contract. As of Tuesday, October 9, the Lyric Opera Orchestra has been on strike to fight back against cuts that will diminish Lyric Opera of Chicago as one of the world’s great opera companies. AGMA members are encouraged to visit https://www.chicagolyricoperaorchestra.com for more information and updates.... Read More -->

CHICAGO (10/8/2018) – Lyric Opera of Chicago and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announced today that they have reached a multi-year labor agreement extending through the 2020/21 season.  The Agreement is subject to the ratification of AGMA members and approval of the AGMA Board of Governors. Details are not being released to the public at this time. About AGMA: The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is a labor organization that represents the people who create and engage in America’s operatic, choral and dance performances across the world. AGMA represents approximately 7,500 opera and classical singers, ballet and modern dancers, and production personnel at all principal opera houses, ballet com... Read More -->

We are excited to welcome two new additions to AGMA’s senior staff team - Allison Beck and Hope Singer (see full biographies below). Beginning October 1, 2018, Allison Beck will become Mid-Atlantic Counsel, representing AGMA members in the Washington, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and other southeast areas.  Hope Singer officially will become West Coast Counsel, representing AGMA members in the Southern California Area as well as part of our Northwest Area. “I am delighted to welcome these two highly credentialed labor attorneys who bring a wealth of experience to AGMA.  Both will ensure that our union continues to provide exceptional member services by forcefully advocating on behalf of artists in opera, dance and choral fie... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) condemns all sexual abuse and sexual harassment.  AGMA is fully committed to ensuring that the artists we represent have safe, supportive workplaces.  We recognize and appreciate the brave women and men who have come forward as part of the #MeToo movement and acknowledge that the arts community has too often turned a blind eye to sexual misconduct. Singers and dancers, and many other performing artists, work in close physical proximity to their co-workers, presenting an art that requires bodily contact and touching.  It is imperative that these workers have confidence that they can do their work free from sexual harassment and abuse.  As the union representing these artists, one of our pri... Read More -->

New York, New York - Friday, September 14, 2018 — The two major musical unions at the Metropolitan Opera, the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802, AFM and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) announce the approval of a new contract with the institution, pending final ratification on Monday by the AGMA Board of Governors. The unions represent several categories of workers at the Met, including the Regular and Associate Musicians of the MET Orchestra and Music Staff and Assistant Conductors, represented by Local 802, and the AGMA-represented Chorus, Soloists, Stage Managers, Stage Directors, Staff Performers, Dancers, and Choreographers. The joint statement is as follows: “We, the musicians and musical artists ... Read More -->

Attention Metropolitan Opera Artists: Information and voting instructions were sent out via email today for Artists covered under the AGMA collective bargaining agreements. If you are a Soloist, Dancer or Extra Chorister who has worked under the contract during last four years (or are contracted to work during the upcoming season) and did not receive voting instructions please check your “Spam” or “Junk” folders first.  If you have not located it there, please contact Candace Itow at Candace@musicalartists.org or call AGMA’s National Office at 212-265-3687. All other categories will receive separate notices explaining voting procedures. All votes must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. on Thursday September 6th. Than... Read More -->

Reminder: AGMA is committed to preventing sexual harassment of Artists working in opera, dance and choral concert fields.  Indeed, prior to the #MeToo movement, in May 2015, AGMA established policies to prevent harassment and set up a confidential reporting system (see https://www.musicalartists.org/agma-establishes-system-members-report-conduct-creates-hostile-work-environment/).  Since that time, AGMA has assisted its members in multiple claims of harassment.  Although we are constrained in providing details due to confidentiality, AGMA staff has assisted individual members and its working groups in multiple harassment investigations/incidents at companies throughout the country. Over the past few months, we have assisted individual... Read More -->

The Associated Musicians of Greater New York Local 802, the American Guild of Musical Artists, and the management of the Metropolitan Opera have reached a tentative agreement, subject to ratification by the bargaining units, Local 802 Executive Board and AGMA Board of Governors, on a three-year contract.... Read More -->

AGMA is committed to preventing sexual harassment of Artists working in opera, dance and choral concert fields.  Indeed, prior to the #MeToo movement, in May 2015, AGMA established policies to prevent harassment and set up a confidential reporting system (see our previous post for details).  Since that time, AGMA has assisted its members in multiple claims of harassment.  Although we are constrained in providing details due to confidentiality, AGMA staff has assisted individual members and its working groups in multiple harassment investigations/incidents at companies throughout the country. Over the past few months, we have assisted individuals in numerous claims and have actively represented our members in several major investigatio... Read More -->