History:
Date of foundation: 1936
Place of foundation: New York City
First Leaders:
The circumstances that led to this union being formed: Was founded in an effort to eliminate exploitation of opera singers who were being forced into oppressive contracts without benefits or protections. Over the years, of the Guild expanded its jurisdiction to include dancers (including athletes who dance on ice) and production personnel.
Union nowadays:
Amount of members: 8'000
The purpose of the union:
Protect the interests of solo musical artists in the field of opera and later expanded to include dancers, choreographers and some categories of stage managers.
What does it do for its members: Does not prohibit its members from performing non-union work.
Provides an extensive nationwide net of attorneys and negotiation specialists to defend the professional, civil and human rights of its members.
Current Leadership:
President : James (Jimmy) Odom
National Executive Director: Alan S. Gordon
Current news and issues:
AGMA is delighted to report the recovery of $252,768.54 in bankruptcy court.
AGMA asserted a claim against the Company’s bankrupt estate for pay owing to members under the “pay or play” clause of our contract for cancelled performances (specifically, for the cancelled 2009 productions of Grapes of Wrath and Salome.) After resolving litigation in bankruptcy court, AGMA was successful in recovering the sum of $252,768.54, which we are in the process of finalizing the distribution to members who were due pay under the “pay or play” clause. Deadline for returning release forms is May 1, 2013
AGMA and Actors’ Equity Make Peace
Of special interest to members is the fact that now members of either union can attend the other union’s auditions AGMA members in good standing for at least one year and who have worked under an AGMA contract may join Equity by virtue of membership in AGMA. The cost to join Equity would be their then current initiation fee less the $500 initiation fee previously paid to AGMA. AGMA has a standard letter that needs to be presented to Equity upon joining.
Sources:
http://www.musicalartists.org,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Guild_of_Musical_Artists,
Date of foundation: 1936
Place of foundation: New York City
First Leaders:
- Lawrence Tibbett
- Alma Gluck
- Jascha Heifetz.
The circumstances that led to this union being formed: Was founded in an effort to eliminate exploitation of opera singers who were being forced into oppressive contracts without benefits or protections. Over the years, of the Guild expanded its jurisdiction to include dancers (including athletes who dance on ice) and production personnel.
Union nowadays:
Amount of members: 8'000
The purpose of the union:
Protect the interests of solo musical artists in the field of opera and later expanded to include dancers, choreographers and some categories of stage managers.
What does it do for its members: Does not prohibit its members from performing non-union work.
Provides an extensive nationwide net of attorneys and negotiation specialists to defend the professional, civil and human rights of its members.
Current Leadership:
President : James (Jimmy) Odom
National Executive Director: Alan S. Gordon
Current news and issues:
AGMA is delighted to report the recovery of $252,768.54 in bankruptcy court.
AGMA asserted a claim against the Company’s bankrupt estate for pay owing to members under the “pay or play” clause of our contract for cancelled performances (specifically, for the cancelled 2009 productions of Grapes of Wrath and Salome.) After resolving litigation in bankruptcy court, AGMA was successful in recovering the sum of $252,768.54, which we are in the process of finalizing the distribution to members who were due pay under the “pay or play” clause. Deadline for returning release forms is May 1, 2013
AGMA and Actors’ Equity Make Peace
Of special interest to members is the fact that now members of either union can attend the other union’s auditions AGMA members in good standing for at least one year and who have worked under an AGMA contract may join Equity by virtue of membership in AGMA. The cost to join Equity would be their then current initiation fee less the $500 initiation fee previously paid to AGMA. AGMA has a standard letter that needs to be presented to Equity upon joining.
Sources:
http://www.musicalartists.org,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Guild_of_Musical_Artists,