American Federation of Musicians
of the
United States and Canada
The AFM is 90,000 professional musicians united in common purpose, i.e., the advancement of their interests in the marketplace, in the arts communities, and in the political arena. Those interests include the identification and development of employment opportunities, the improvement of working conditions and compensation, the development of benefits and services to meet the musician’s unique needs, support for music education, and promotion of the musician’s political voice at national, state, and local government levels. Focus and progress on these issues are the reasons that professionals become and remain lifetime AFM members.
AFM Structure
The AFM organizational structure is built upon a bedrock of geographical area Locals – more than 250 of them throughout the United States and Canada – in which the members determine the direction of their individual Locals – and through their elected Convention Delegates, they determine the national direction of the AFM, “the Federation.”
AFM Democracy
Federation Officers are subject to election, and the Bylaws and policies are subject to change, at the biennial Convention. Just as every member is afforded the opportunity for participation in his or her Local, every Local is afforded the opportunity of participation in the Convention. This dynamic process accommodates timely adjustments to meet the challenges of the ever-changing environment in this “business of music.”
AFM Resources
The Federation maintains Headquarters in New York City, a West Coast Office in Los Angeles, a Legislative Office in Washington, D.C., and a Canadian Office in Ontario. Federation Officers and staff coordinate and provide organizational cohesion to the Locals, negotiate and administer national contracts with electronic media employers and touring companies, and provide services to the Locals and members through the Electronic Media Services Division, Touring/Theatre/Booking Division, Symphonic Services Division, Free Lance and other specialists. The Federation also maintains affiliation with the nine million-member AFL-CIO, enhancing the musicians’ political clout and buying power for services and products.