This year’s Black History Month arrives just one month after the fatal police beating of Tyre Nichols. Our hearts remain heavy, as we witnessed the violence inherent in our very broken system result in yet another senseless death of a Black person who should be alive today.  AGMA once again calls on elected leaders at all levels of government to come together, like our members, to address the systemic and institutionalized origins of these tragedies, and enact meaningful policies to end them and begin the healing process.  This month we will focus on JOY. Throughout February, AGMA will spotlight Black history (and Black history in the making) and the JOY that has shaped and that keeps shaping the performing arts for t... Read More -->

Today AGMA kicks off its 2023 National Officer and Governor Election! Members that want to help shape AGMA’s future, are encouraged to run for office! AGMA is a democratic union, and the decision-making body of the Union is the AGMA Board of Governors, comprised of National Officers and Governors. Made up of Union Artists, the Board of Governors is an all-volunteer group of AGMA members from different Employment Categories and geographic Regions who meet (virtually) once a month to discuss and set AGMA policies, review and approve collective bargaining agreements, monitor the finances and operations of the Union, and deal with all matters having to do with the employment and collective well-being of the AGMA membership. Every four... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Voices of Ascension 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, COVID, AND CBA COVERAGE: Compensation:Freeze in Year 13% Increase Year 23% Increase Year 3Increased media fees ($100 per production)A commitment to negotiating COVID-19 protocols prior to every productionExplicit coverage of experimental sub-groups ("Voices of the New," "Voices of Connection," etc.) under CBA DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION: Statement of Committee to DEI principals and agreement to working with AGMA to implement policies, compla... Read More -->

AGMA is happy to report that the Union and dancers of Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) have prevailed in the recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hearing involving TBT! The NLRB found that TBT management’s claim was without merit and has ordered an immediate mail-ballot representation election. Ballots will be sent to the dancers on Friday, January 27, and the vote count will take place on Thursday, February 23. While we celebrate this victory, the TBT dancers continue to face a union-busting campaign by their employer and its hired consultant.  Please like, comment, and share this post to show your support for these brave artists who are fighting to win their union! ... Read More -->

Monday, January 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT over Zoom The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host “BUILDING INDUSTRY CARE: An Open Discussion on Parents and Caregivers in Our Field” on Monday, January 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. ALL AGMA MEMBERS ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. All AGMA members in good standing can register here. Those who have already registered do not need to do so again. Zoom details will be sent prior to the start of the event. Rachel Spencer Hewitt will lead the Zoom discussion as guest speaker. She is the founder and National Director of Programming, Partnerships, and Resources of Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL), a national organization that serves as a resource hub, community, and... Read More -->

Register Today! AGMA will once again be hosting “An Intro to AGMA”, a live new-member orientation and informational webinar, on Monday, January 30. AGMA Members are welcome to join the webinar at 10:00 a.m. ET or 9:00 p.m. ET on January 30. The webinars will be the same, so members should select whatever time works best with their schedule. The estimated running time of the webinar is 45 minutes to 1 hour. “An Intro to AGMA” will cover everything from the history of AGMA and its structure, to the basics of joining AGMA, to why workers form unions and how they create collective power. The webinar will be presented by Griff Braun, AGMA's National Organizing Director. This is open to all AGMA members in good standing... Read More -->

The American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) is pleased to announce that the dancers of Ballet Memphis have voted overwhelmingly in favor of unionizing with AGMA, the labor union of the finest dancers, singers, and staging staff in dance, opera, and concert choral performance throughout the United States. The National Labor Relations Board election was held on Friday, January 13, following a lengthy union-busting campaign by the employer. Given the results, Ballet Memphis management has recognized AGMA as the exclusive bargaining representative of the dancers. “Congratulations to the dancers of Ballet Memphis for winning their Union. What a tremendous victory!” said Sam Wheeler, AGMA’s National Executive Director. “The na... Read More -->

Apply for the 2023 Union Plus Scholarship by 12:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Eligibility: Current and retired members of unions participating in any Union Plus program, their spouses, and their dependent children (as defined by IRS regulations) are eligible.Members of participating unions from the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada are eligible.The applicant must be accepted into a U.S. accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school at the time the award is issued.Awards must be used for the 2023 - 2024 school year.Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. This program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation, which is sponsor... Read More -->

Share your support for the Dancers of Ballet Memphis as they fight for their union! Unfortunately, Ballet Memphis management rejected AGMA's request for voluntary recognition and has instead hired union-busting attorneys from Littler Mendelson, the law firm that is fighting unionizing efforts at Starbucks and elsewhere and is waging the anti-union campaign at Central City Opera. AGMA has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board for a representation election which is now scheduled for this Friday, January 13. Support among the Ballet Memphis dancers remains solid, despite management’s union-busting efforts, and we’re confident that they will win their election and become the newest AGMA signatory company.  Please show y... Read More -->

Monday, January 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT over Zoom The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus will host “BUILDING INDUSTRY CARE: An Open Discussion on Parents and Caregivers in Our Field” on Monday, January 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT. ALL AGMA MEMBERS ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND. All AGMA members in good standing can register here. Rachel Spencer Hewitt will lead the Zoom discussion as guest speaker. She is the founder and National Director of Programming, Partnerships, and Resources of Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL), a national organization that serves as a resource hub, community, and solutions generator for parents in the arts and the institutions who support them. Many of the discussions will surro... Read More -->