The purpose of the American Federation of Musicians is the same today as it was at its founding more than 130 years ago: to elevate, protect, and advance the interests of all musicians who receive pay for their musical service.

The American Federation of Musicians was founded at the Hotel English in Indianapolis, Indiana, when a group of delegates broke away from the National League of Musicians. Their mission was to form a more egalitarian organization that would be inclusive to all musicians. (Read a detailed history from 1896-2021 here).

In its first year of existence the AFM reached out to Canadian unions, inviting them to join. The AFM demonstrated its commitment to international representation by officially changing its name in 1900 to the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. (Read more about the history of our international ties, Two Countries; One Union.)

While technology and the music industry have changed, the AFM’s mission has not. It has had to evolve in order to protect the livelihoods of today’s musicians. For more details, read AFM Evolves to Meet Needs of Today’s Music Industry.

Today, led by President Tino Gagliardi, the Federation priorities include protection from the unregulated use of artificial intelligence (consent, compensation and credit); working with our union and political allies to push legislation that protects the interests of union musicians; and growing the AFM by organizing more musicians, especially those not typically protected by union contracts.

 

To commemorate our 125th year, we highlighted the beginnings of this great organization and reflected on how far we’ve come.