In 1936, the New York Times announced the formation of the American Guild of Musical Artists. Framed as a necessary evolution, the article recognized that artists could no longer rely on individual excellence alone to secure fair treatment in an increasingly complex industry. Organization, the journalist wrote, had become essential for those “sandwiched” between powerful institutions and established labor forces.
AGMA’s founding brought together some of the most celebrated artists of the time, united by a shared understanding that collective action was vital to protect both their livelihoods and the integrity of their work. Even in the Union’s earliest days, AGMA was described as “constructive and forward-looking,” committed not just to advocacy, but to shaping a more equitable future for performing artists.
Ninety years later, that vision has endured and expanded. Today, AGMA stands as a fighting, growing union, comprised of artists across the country and continuing to meet the evolving challenges of the field. Since 2016 alone, more than 20 new companies have become signatories, bringing AGMA to 80 signatory companies nationwide.
From our first mention in the pages of the New York Times to our current national reach, AGMA’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and strength in unity, as well as proof that the necessity identified in 1936 remains just as urgent today