The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Cincinnati Opera was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. Let’s celebrate some gains! There have been multiple additions and improvements to the contract language, particularly when it comes to Principal Artists, Staging Staff, and Young Artists; DEI; compensation and reimbursements; and updated language regarding dues deductions and individual artist agreements, including the use of digital contracts. HIGHLIGHTS: COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 3% increase in Year 1 (which includes the 2022 summer season)3% increase in Year 22% increase in Year 3Compensation for commercial recording projectsIncreased retirement contribution rates,... Read More -->

The AGMA Black Caucus is excited to host “21-22 Season in Review” on Monday, June 6, at 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT. Join the AGMA Black Caucus for a roundtable discussion on returning to the stage in the 21-22 season. All Black AGMA Artists in good standing are encouraged to participate in this conversation. Register here. The Zoom details will be sent in the days leading up to June 6. ... Read More -->

The new collective bargaining agreement between AGMA and Houston Ballet was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. There have been multiple additions and improvements to the contract language, particularly when it comes to compensation; I.D.E.A. and anti-harassment provisions; and a number of other beneficial gains. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 4-year agreement! HIGHLIGHTS: COMPENSATION: Year 1: flat-rate increase of $50.03/week for each Artist(Equivalent to between 2.75% and 8.5% varied by rank)Year 2: 3% for all ranksYear 3: 3.5% for all ranksYear 4: 3.5% for all ranksSignificant increases (20%) to Artists as Choreographer compensationStage Ma... Read More -->

Colorado Ballet's new collective bargaining agreement was ratified by AGMA leadership, after being overwhelmingly approved by the shop. There have been multiple additions and improvements to the contract language, particularly when it comes to compensation; DEI and anti-harassment provisions; increase to seniority in each year, and additional time added to maternity/partner leave in addition to current sick leave. Thank you to the negotiating committee and congratulations on this 3-year agreement! HIGHLIGHTS: COMPENSATION: INCREASES: Year 1: Increases between 6% and 15% (varied by rank)Year 2: 4% for all ranksYear 3: 3.5% for all ranks SENIORITY PAYMENTS: Year 1: $8.00Year 2: $8.25Year 3: $8.50 MATCHING RETIR... Read More -->

Following a comprehensive search, Rhonda Murray has been named Executive Director of the AGMA Retirement Plan and Health Fund. Murray has a proven track record of over 20 years of experience successfully managing health and welfare benefit programs for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She is a graduate of AMP (Administrators Masters Program). “I’m looking forward to cultivating the Funds’ relationship with both AGMA members and its signatory companies, and to strengthening their knowledge of their benefits,” shared Murray, whose official start date was May 2. Prior to the Funds, she worked for the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR) Local 1957 as their Fund Administrator. Before that, Murray worked at... Read More -->

The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus is hosting its first-ever virtual Social Hour on Monday, May 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The goal of Social Hour is to have fun and build relationships between colleagues across the country. All AGMA Staging Staff members in good standing are encouraged to join, even just to pop in and say hello! Please register here. If you have already registered, you do not need to do so again. The Zoom details will be sent before May 23! ... Read More -->

AGMA supports Arts teachers and office staff in Chicago in their quest to join the Chicago Teachers' Union (CTU). Academic teachers at the Chicago High School for the Arts have been part of the Chicago Teachers' Union since 2018, but as of yet, the school’s main office staff and Arts teachers (“teaching artists”) – from the voice teachers to the visual arts instructors – have not been permitted by the school to join. Just under 70% of the Arts teachers/office staff have signed the petition to become part of CTU and they submitted their request to the school’s Board in April, and saw their request rejected! Every worker should have the right to unionize and improve their workplace - especially one that already has a percen... Read More -->

Today, the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO (AGMA) and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) have announced a reciprocal agreement that will build on and strengthen the existing partnership between the two national labor unions. AGMA members include singers, dancers, and staging staff in opera, ballet and concert dance, and concert choral performance in the United States. SDC Members include professional stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States. SDC and AMGA first partnered in May 2020, when they jointly engaged an Expert Medical Advisory Panel to create the highly acclaimed AGMA/SDC Return to Stage and Performing Arts Playbook, which has been continually updated throughout the pandemic... Read More -->

The AGMA Staging Staff Caucus is excited to invite all AGMA Staging Staff members to its first-ever virtual Social Hour on Monday, May 23 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. "We are all used to using Zoom for business-related meetings, and the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus has definitely accomplished a lot on that front! The goal of our Social Hour is to have fun and build relationships between colleagues across the country," said the AGMA Staging Staff Caucus. All AGMA Staging Staff members in good standing are encouraged to join, even just to pop in and say hello! Please register here. The Zoom details will be sent before May 23. ... Read More -->

AGMA is pleased to share that as of May 2022, The Actors Fund is now the Entertainment Community Fund. For over 140 years, The Actors Fund has helped everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment across the country. The new name is designed to be more inclusive and representative of the diverse professions that they serve. The Entertainment Community Fund is a national human services organization with a history of helping all those who make the performing arts and entertainment possible—whether they work on stage, in front of the camera, or behind the scenes—in theater, film, dance, music, TV, opera and radio. Through programs that focus on the unique health and wellness, career and life, and housing needs of our ... Read More -->