The AGMA Black Caucus (ABC) will host their second National Meeting of 2023 on Tuesday, June 27, at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT). All Black AGMA Artists are encouraged to participate! This meeting will focus on looking back at the 22-23 season as it comes to a close and looking ahead toward the 23-24 season.  Interested in becoming more involved with the ABC? During this meeting, the facilitators will share the Caucus bylaws as well as information on facilitator elections. Registration is required to receive the Zoom details. Register here. ... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Grant Park Music Festival was approved by AGMA leadership after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Increases in compensation of 3% in each year of the agreement​ Ratification Bonus for Regular Choristers​ Changes in retaining/replacing Choristers after missing a mandatory rehearsal for emergencies​ Additional Music Stands for Rehearsals​ Addition of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) language to the agreement​ Additional representation on the DEIB committee​ Additional notice posting locations for A... Read More -->

On May 22, AGMA officially notified Opera Colorado management of its artists’ desire to unionize, with the hopes that the Company would respect their wishes and voluntarily recognize their Union. Unfortunately, Opera Colorado management rejected voluntary recognition and we've filed for an NLRB election. We will share more details as things progress. ICYMI: On May 22, AGMA announced that the artists of Opera Colorado had signed cards to form a union. At the time, the organizing artists said, “The artists of Opera Colorado are excited to rekindle our relationship with AGMA as we move forward together into this next phase of the company's history. By coming together in union, we look forward to securing the best possible opportuni... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Boston Lyric Opera was approved by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. Thank you to the negotiating committee, and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS: COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS: Compensation increases of:3% for first year4% in the second year 4% in the third year​ Regular pay schedule for soloists, including up-front payments Stage Management overtime threshold lowered from 60 hours to 50 hours​ $2,500 relocation stipend for Production Staff artists required to move to Boston​ Penalty paid by BLO for late-issued Chorus contracts Special payments and revenue sharing for artists enga... Read More -->

2023 was an election year for AGMA! AGMA is a democratic union governed by the AGMA Board of Governors, the primary decision-making body for the Union. The AGMA Board of Governors is made up of elected artists from around the world who are willing to volunteer their time, expertise, and talents to AGMA’s members and the betterment of the Union. AGMA holds an election for its National Officers every four years. Approximately half of AGMA Governors are elected at the same time as the National Officers, while the other half of Governors are elected in off-year elections, held two years in between the National Officer elections. All Officers and Governors serve four-year terms. This was the first Officer election under AGMA’s new... Read More -->

AGMA is proud to be a union with incredible LGBTQIA+ members that have helped shape the performing arts (and the world) for the better. Pride Month is a month of education and celebration. But in the past several years, and in particular, in the last few months, we’ve seen concerted and coordinated efforts to roll back hard-fought freedoms, liberty, and dignity of the LGBTQIA+ community. In April, AGMA shared the ACLU’s nationwide tracking system that documents and categorizes anti-LGBTQ bills. At the time, there were 452 bills. Today, not even two months later, there are 491. This wide-scale effort seeks to erase the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals to safely exist as who they are within their bodies. AGMA once again encourage... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) jointly announce the first collective bargaining agreement between the Union and DMMO. The CBA covers stage management staff. Effective May 1, 2023, through August 31, 2025, the contract, which covers the next three seasons, was recently approved by AGMA leadership after being overwhelmingly ratified by the shop. A side letter covering the position of Production Stage Manager was also approved. DMMO and the AGMA DMMO Negotiating Committee, representing their fellow staging staff members, came to a mutually beneficial contract.  “AGMA is thrilled to have reached an agreement with DMMO. After negotiating productively and in good faith with DMMO... Read More -->

5/22/2023 – The wave of artists organizing across the country continues as the artists of Opera Colorado have signed cards to form a union and join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). “Opera professionals see the value in collective power and speaking with one voice. We are thrilled to have artists from another longstanding Colorado opera house come together in union. AGMA looks forward to welcoming these artists, and supporting them at every stage,” said Griff Braun, AGMA’s National Organizing Director. The organizing artists said, “The artists of Opera Colorado are excited to rekindle our relationship with AGMA as we move forward together into this next phase of the company's history. By coming together... Read More -->

May 18, 2023 - The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and Central City Opera (CCO) reached a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, beginning May 19, 2023, and running through September 1, 2027. The AGMA Board of Governors, acting through its Executive Council, ratified the agreement earlier today. “This was a long and challenging negotiation, but, in the end, we were able to reach an agreement that protects the safety and welfare of artists working at CCO,” said Sam Wheeler, National Executive Director of AGMA. “A lot of people deserve credit for this agreement. Thank you to our incredible Negotiating Committee, to the Central City Opera bargaining unit, to our staff negotiators and outside counsel, to our sibli... Read More -->

The federal government has ended the COVID-19 national and public health emergency declarations. This means that federal government agencies can treat the virus as an endemic threat to public health that can be managed through their normal authorities. It does not mean that COVID is eradicated or that there are not continuing risks to certain populations and those working in certain industries.    Today, AGMA shares with you our Updated Guidance Following Termination of COVID-19 Emergency Declarations. The AGMA Expert Medical Advisory Panel continues to recommend that AGMA signatory companies follow the guidance to keep AGMA members rehearsing and performing safely. ... Read More -->