American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
The American Federation of Musicians is a labor union founded in 1896 representing 70,000–80,000 professional musicians across the US and Canada through 240+ local chapters, providing collective bargaining, contract enforcement, AI advocacy, visa consultation, and member benefits.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1896
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada does
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) is a labor union founded in 1896 in Indianapolis that represents professional musicians across the United States and Canada. The organization describes itself as the largest musicians' union in the world, representing 70,000–80,000 musicians through a federation of more than 240 local chapters (locals). Headquartered at 1501 Broadway in New York, with a Canadian Bureau in Toronto, a legislative office in Washington, DC, and a West Coast office in Burbank, the AFM functions as a federated nonprofit membership organization rather than a commercial enterprise. Each local operates its own dues structure, contract enforcement, and member services, while the international federation coordinates cross-jurisdictional bargaining, advocacy, and benefits.
The AFM's core service portfolio is built around collective bargaining, contract enforcement, and member protections rather than proprietary technology. Digital infrastructure consists of standard web-based tools: a member portal (myAFM) for membership renewals, payments, and wage-scale access; the #NotMe app (partnered with NotMe Solutions) for confidential workplace misconduct reporting; and resource centers covering symphonic wage scales, recording/digital media contracts, and travel/visa logistics. Notably, the AFM issues consultation letters required by USCIS for O-1B, P-1B, P-2, and P-3 artist visas, giving it a regulatory gatekeeping role over inbound international musician work in the United States. The union has recently expanded into AI-related litigation, filing suit against Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group over AI licensing deals with Suno and Udio, and has joined multi-organizational coalitions (with SAG-AFTRA, the Recording Academy, ASCAP, BMI, SoundExchange, the Music Artists Coalition, and Songwriters of North America) to oppose EU copyright proposals that could reduce American artist royalties.
Revenue is generated exclusively through membership dues set at the local level, paid annually by approximately 70,000–80,000 individual musician members. Specific dues amounts are not publicly disclosed; prospective members are directed to contact their local for a quote. The AFM operates as a democratic labor union governed by an elected International President, International Vice President, Vice President from Canada, and International Secretary-Treasurer, with management exercised through biennial conventions and a 240+ local chapter network. There is no parent company, no external ownership structure, and no equity funding — consistent with a 125-year-old federated nonprofit.
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
- Legal name
- American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
- Website
- https://afm.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1896
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The American Federation of Musicians is a labor union founded in 1896 representing 70,000–80,000 professional musicians across the US and Canada through 240+ local chapters, providing collective bargaining, contract enforcement, AI advocacy, visa consultation, and member benefits.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: The AFM generates revenue through membership dues paid by its represented musicians across the United States and Canada. Dues vary by local chapter and are set at the local level; members contact their local for pricing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard membership for US musicians |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The American Federation of Musicians is a labor union that collectively bargains contracts and delivers member services to 70,000-80,000 professional musicians across the United States and Canada. It provides wage, benefit, and working-condition agreements covering symphonic, theater, recording/digital media, and freelance work, and it supports members through benefit administration, legal representation, visa consultation, and intellectual property protection.
Product overview
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) operates as a union organization rather than a commercial software product. Its service portfolio encompasses membership administration through the MyAFM portal, professional development resources (symphonic wage scales, recording and digital media guides), advocacy campaigns (Fair Trade Music), member protection tools (#NotMe app for misconduct reporting, International Unfair List), and practical services (AFM Entertainment booking, travel resources, visa consultation letters, insurance, and emergency relief funds). These offerings function as a unified ecosystem supporting professional musicians across all genres and employment contexts in the US and Canada.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AFM Member Portal (MyAFM) Online member portal providing access to membership renewals, payment processing, local union information, symphonic wage scales, booking agent search, and the International Musician publication for AFM members across the US and Canada.
- AFM Entertainment Booking service connecting AFM members with private event opportunities such as weddings, where musicians help musicians find paid gigs.
- #NotMe App
- Visa Consultation Letters
- Insurance Products
- Emergency Assistance & Relief Funds
- Travel Resources & AFM Travel Kit
Quantifiable outcome
- AI royalty-sharing litigation filed against Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group over AI music deals with Suno and Udio that allegedly did not share revenue with musicians
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NotMe SolutionscoreThe AFM partnered with NotMe Solutions to make the #NotMe app and website available to AFM members — a secure and encrypted platform for reporting workplace misconduct, harassment, contract violations, payroll discrepancies, and safety concerns. The platform is free to all AFM members and available in English, French, and Spanish.
- International Federation of Musicians (FIM)coreThe AFM is a member of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), participating in international conferences, solidarity actions, and joint advocacy on cross-border musician rights issues.
- Nashville Musicians Association (Local 257)minorNashville Local 257 maintains its own 'Do Not Work For' blacklist of employers, supplementing the AFM's International Unfair List for the Nashville jurisdiction.
- Los Angeles Local 47minorLos Angeles Local 47 maintains its own 'Do Not Work For' employer list, supplementing the AFM's International Unfair List for the Los Angeles jurisdiction.
- SoundExchangecoreThe AFM participates in a US music industry coalition with SoundExchange, The Recording Academy, ASCAP, BMI, SAG-AFTRA, and 11 other organizations to advocate for copyright protections that protect American artists' royalty rights in international trade contexts. The coalition urges the US Trade Representative to oppose EU proposals that could reduce American artist royalties by nearly $300 million annually.
- The Recording AcademycorePart of the US music industry coalition advocating against EU copyright proposal that could reduce American artist royalties by nearly $300 million annually.
- ASCAPcorePart of the US music industry coalition advocating against EU copyright proposal.
- BMIcorePart of the US music industry coalition advocating against EU copyright proposal.
- SAG-AFTRAcorePart of the US music industry coalition advocating against EU copyright proposal.
- Music Artists CoalitioncorePart of a coalition with the Music Artists Coalition and Songwriters of North America demanding AI music consent and fair compensation conditions for artists. The coalition released a letter warning that major record labels are signing AI music deals without meaningfully consulting artists.
- Songwriters of North AmericacorePart of the AI music rights coalition demanding direct artist consent, fair compensation, transparency, and an end to default opt-in contract clauses in AI licensing deals.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BMI: Performing rights organization representing songwriters, composers, and publishers with a broader repertoire approach than ASCAP. Comparable to AFM as a music industry membership organization with rights administration capabilities; coalition partner with AFM on US Trade Representative advocacy.
- The Recording Academy: Music organization known for the Grammy Awards, representing recording artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. Comparable to AFM as a broad music industry membership body with advocacy focus; active coalition partner on AI/copyright initiatives.
- ASCAP: Performing rights organization representing songwriters, composers, and music publishers in the US. Comparable to AFM as a music industry membership organization with collective rights management, though focused on composition licensing rather than performer representation; AFM coalition partner on copyright issues.
- SoundExchange: Nonprofit performing rights organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties for sound recordings in the US. Comparable to AFM as a music rights-focused membership organization with regulatory and royalty administration functions; coalition partner on AI and copyright advocacy.
Direct peers
- SAG-AFTRA: Labor union representing screen actors, broadcast performers, and recording artists in film, television, and digital media. Directly comparable to AFM as a performer-focused labor union with collective bargaining agreements across entertainment verticals, and an active AFM coalition partner on AI/copyright issues.
- Actors' Equity Association: Labor union representing舞台 actors and stage managers in live theater productions across the US. Directly comparable to AFM as a labor union with collective bargaining in theatrical settings, including Broadway and touring productions where AFM's theater musicians also perform.
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE): Labor union representing behind-the-scenes entertainment workers including stagehands, set designers, and technicians. Directly comparable to AFM as a major entertainment industry union with overlapping theater and live event coverage, and shared industry relationships.
Emerging players
- Songwriters of North America (SONA): Advocacy organization for songwriters focused on fair compensation and rights protection in the streaming and AI era. Comparable to AFM as a music creator advocacy body with overlapping concerns on AI licensing, consent, and contract transparency.
- Music Artists Coalition: Artist-led advocacy organization focused on fair compensation, transparency, and rights protection for recording artists. Comparable to AFM as a music industry advocacy organization with overlapping priorities on AI and streaming compensation; active coalition partner.
Others
- International Federation of Musicians (FIM): International federation of musician trade unions and professional organizations representing musicians globally. AFM is a member of FIM; comparable as the international umbrella organization for musician unions, providing global advocacy, solidarity actions, and cross-border coordination.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada
What does American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada do?
The American Federation of Musicians is a labor union that collectively bargains contracts and delivers member services to 70,000-80,000 professional musicians across the United States and Canada. It provides wage, benefit, and working-condition agreements covering symphonic, theater, recording/digital media, and freelance work, and it supports members through benefit administration, legal representation, visa consultation, and intellectual property protection.
Is American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada a public or private company?
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada founded?
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada was founded in 1896. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada based?
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BMI, The Recording Academy, ASCAP and SoundExchange. Direct peers are SAG-AFTRA, Actors' Equity Association and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Emerging players are Songwriters of North America (SONA) and Music Artists Coalition. International Federation of Musicians (FIM) is listed as an others.
Does American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.