Why Join?
Now is the Time to Join the AFM
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 90,000 musicians. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. No single musician has that power.
The AFM has a long history of service for musicians in the United States and Canada. Becoming a member of the AFM means that you become part of an organization with more than 100 years of experience in improving the lives of working musicians, and thousands of years of collective experience!
With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Toronto, in addition to a network of more than 240 local unions in small and large cities throughout the United States and Canada, the AFM is everywhere you are. We have negotiated high-quality consumer benefits and services for you and your family, and have a professional staff to assist you with your professional needs.
Here are just a few of the benefits and services you are entitled to as an AFM member:
Contracts/collective bargaining. The AFM negotiates wages and working conditions in order to maintain minimum standards for its members involved in recording, TV shows, music videos, commercials, films, video games and traveling theatrical productions. The AFM also can provide a legally binding contract for any type of engagement, and when properly executed and filed with the local union, they allow the local officer to help collect payments in the case of a default.
Pension and Health. AFM members may earn credits toward retirement and, under certain conditions, health care each time they work. The AFM pension plan allows contributions for all working AFM members.
Insurance Programs You Can Rely On. The AFM is here to protect you and your valuable instruments by offering a number of low-cost options.
Referral Programs/GoPro. The AFM provides a host of referral programs and access to licensed signatory booking agents to help, including:
www.GoProMusic.com. List your band on the AFM live music referral site.
www.GoProLessons.com. List your services on the AFM music instructor referral service. This online resource enables consumers to easily locate and engage AFM member music instructors.
www.GoProHosting.com. Professional web hosting services to help you develop the perfect web site.
www.GoProAuction.com. Buy or sell the perfect instrument.
Subscription to International Musician. Stay informed with a free subscription to the AFM’s award winning monthly magazine, International Musician. In addition to fascinating interviews with some of the industry’s top names, each issue of the International Musician has news and information you need, industry employment and audition advertisements, and useful career advice.
Benefits Specific To Canadian Members
Specialized Departments. With headquarters in Toronto, the AFM has specialized departments to assist our Canadian members and local unions:
Electronic Media
Freelance Services
Symphonic Services
U.S. & CDN Work Permits
Other specialized services for Canada
Insurance. As a professional musician, you depend upon your instruments and equipment. Just think of the exorbitant costs of replacing equipment if it is lost or damaged. Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance is not enough to protect from loss, theft or damage on location. Thus the AFM provides access to Equipment Insurance, wherein your instruments and music-related equipment are protected from vandalism, breakage, water, fire, lightening and theft up to the full replacement value.
AFM members are protected if they are injured during a performance by signing up for the Professional Liability Insurance. The AFM also provides access to Out of Country Health Insurance for musicians traveling outside of Canada.
Pension. The American Federation of Musicians’ and Employers’ Pension Welfare Fund is one of the largest pension funds in the entertainment industry, and each year millions of dollars are paid out to participating musicians. For detailed information and an application, visit www.afmepw.com. You can also download a Summary Plan Description, which highlights the Plan’s features and helps you understand how the Plan works.
Automatic Registration for Possible Royalties. The AFM advocates the rights of musicians in their live and recorded performances in the United States and Canada and other countries, and where it deems appropriate, collects and distributes government mandated or other compulsory royalties of remuneration that are subject to collective administration. For more information, visit www.mnrr.ca.
AFM Canada Master Card. Created exclusively for AFM Canadian members, this credit card can be used on all your everyday purchases.
And much more…
