American Guild of Musical Artists (AMGA)
1. Background:
Date of Foundation: March 11,1936
Location of Foundation: New York City
First Leaders: The first leaders of this union was a group of great solo artists such as, President Lawrence Tibbett, Vice President Alma Gluck, and Vice President Jascha Heifetz.
Reason for Creating this Union: The political and social circumstances that led to this union being formed were that there wasn't any fair opportunities for most performers. For example, some would perform without pay, play outside their town and be kicked out of the city with no transportation. So, the founders came together to get rid of these unfair practices.
2. Present Day:
Number of Members: 8000
3. Mission/Purpose of the Union:
Mission: The Union protects its members from unfair or unsafe practices.
Purpose: The purpose of the union is to protect talented artists and defend their rights. Also to give them a place to perform freely and actually get paid.
4. Current Leadership:
Date of Foundation: March 11,1936
Location of Foundation: New York City
First Leaders: The first leaders of this union was a group of great solo artists such as, President Lawrence Tibbett, Vice President Alma Gluck, and Vice President Jascha Heifetz.
Reason for Creating this Union: The political and social circumstances that led to this union being formed were that there wasn't any fair opportunities for most performers. For example, some would perform without pay, play outside their town and be kicked out of the city with no transportation. So, the founders came together to get rid of these unfair practices.
2. Present Day:
Number of Members: 8000
3. Mission/Purpose of the Union:
Mission: The Union protects its members from unfair or unsafe practices.
Purpose: The purpose of the union is to protect talented artists and defend their rights. Also to give them a place to perform freely and actually get paid.
4. Current Leadership:
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/7343067.jpg)
President:
James Odom
James Odom
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/527729.jpg?1395966595)
1st Vice President:
John Coleman
John Coleman
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/7629901.jpg)
2nd Vice President:
Gregory Stapp
Gregory Stapp
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/392138.jpg)
3rd Vice President:
Sara Stewart Schumann
Sara Stewart Schumann
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/6988894.jpg?1395967426)
4th Vice President:
Maren Montalbano
Maren Montalbano
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/8998551.jpg?1395967614)
5th Vice President:
J Austin Bitner
J Austin Bitner
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/8245332.jpg)
Recording Secreatary:
Louis Perry
Louis Perry
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/3/3/26337483/9389791.jpg?1395967957)
Treasurer:
Raymond Menard
Raymond Menard
5. Current Issues/News:
Issues:
- San Diego Opera is going out of business at the end of season. I f you have a contract for future work , e-mail a copy to [email protected].
- NYC Opera has filed for bankruptcy protectionso that AGMA artists that have contracts to perform in any production scheduled for the 2013-2014 season, can do so. If you want to file a claim, send a copy of your contract to Candace Itow by email ([email protected]).
News:
- A new program called, "The Performers in Transition Arts Management Training Program," designed to train professional performing artists with the intention of transitioning into arts management. It will run from September 2013 to May 2014. This program is for dancers, actors, and musicians that are close to or at the end of their performance careers. It is free of charge for the successful artists.
- AGMA has recovered over $252,768.54 in bankruptcy court for the Opera Pacific Members. If you have any questions, call (310-215-9554).
- The New Delegate Handbook is here! To get it, go to Members Only on the AGMA site. Then login, and click on the "Delegate" link. Then click on the "Delegate Hnadbook" link in the dropdown menu.
- AGMA & Actor's Equity Make Peace: Members of either union can attend the other union's audition without joining the other union.
- AGMA's 75th Anniversary: Now the union owns an online store that sells shirts, mugs, and other items with AGMA's new 75th anniversary logo on it. One dollar of the purchase of each item goes to donations for the AGMA Relief Fund.
- An announcement made by the Brooklyn's Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center saying that the Artist Access program lets artists exchange patient services for health care credits.
- AGMA members are eligible for discounts. To find out more, go to Members Only section on the AGMA site, login, and look at the various discounts with intructions on how to access them.
- AGMA has created a new facebook page to join and stay posted on AGMA's details.
- The Guest Artist Agreement is now in place. If you have any Agent Problems, call Alan Gordon at 212-265-3687.
- 24/7 Emergency Phone Number: 646-345-8696
6. Images of the Union doing its mission:
Issues:
- San Diego Opera is going out of business at the end of season. I f you have a contract for future work , e-mail a copy to [email protected].
- NYC Opera has filed for bankruptcy protectionso that AGMA artists that have contracts to perform in any production scheduled for the 2013-2014 season, can do so. If you want to file a claim, send a copy of your contract to Candace Itow by email ([email protected]).
News:
- A new program called, "The Performers in Transition Arts Management Training Program," designed to train professional performing artists with the intention of transitioning into arts management. It will run from September 2013 to May 2014. This program is for dancers, actors, and musicians that are close to or at the end of their performance careers. It is free of charge for the successful artists.
- AGMA has recovered over $252,768.54 in bankruptcy court for the Opera Pacific Members. If you have any questions, call (310-215-9554).
- The New Delegate Handbook is here! To get it, go to Members Only on the AGMA site. Then login, and click on the "Delegate" link. Then click on the "Delegate Hnadbook" link in the dropdown menu.
- AGMA & Actor's Equity Make Peace: Members of either union can attend the other union's audition without joining the other union.
- AGMA's 75th Anniversary: Now the union owns an online store that sells shirts, mugs, and other items with AGMA's new 75th anniversary logo on it. One dollar of the purchase of each item goes to donations for the AGMA Relief Fund.
- An announcement made by the Brooklyn's Woodhull Medical & Mental Health Center saying that the Artist Access program lets artists exchange patient services for health care credits.
- AGMA members are eligible for discounts. To find out more, go to Members Only section on the AGMA site, login, and look at the various discounts with intructions on how to access them.
- AGMA has created a new facebook page to join and stay posted on AGMA's details.
- The Guest Artist Agreement is now in place. If you have any Agent Problems, call Alan Gordon at 212-265-3687.
- 24/7 Emergency Phone Number: 646-345-8696
6. Images of the Union doing its mission:
7. Sources:
- http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/tamwag/wag_209/wag_209.html
- http://www.musicalartists.org/
- http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/tamwag/wag_209/wag_209.html
- http://www.musicalartists.org/