American Guild of Variety Artists

What American Guild of Variety Artists does

American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) is an AFL-CIO affiliated labor union founded in 1939 that represents performing artists and stage managers in live variety performances across the United States. The union's jurisdiction covers singers, dancers, comedians, stand-up comics, skaters, circus performers, cabaret and club artists, lecturers, poets, monologists, spokespersons, and variety performers at theme parks, touring shows, and special events. AGVA negotiates individual Collective Bargaining Agreements with producers and employers, setting salary minimums and codifying working conditions, rehearsal regulations, overtime provisions, travel stipulations, and health benefits. The union also issues exclusive consultation letters required for international performer O and P visas under U.S. federal immigration law (effective April 1, 1992), giving it a regulatory lever over cross-border talent. AGVA is a member of the Associated Actors and Artistes of America ("The 4 As"), coordinating with sister unions AEA, SAG-AFTRA, AGMA, and GIAA on jurisdictional boundaries.

AGVA generates revenue through two primary streams. Membership dues are billed three times annually (April 1, August 1, December 1) on an earnings-based tiered schedule, ranging from $72/year for earnings $0-4,999 up to $795/year for earnings $35,000 or more. A one-time initiation fee of $750 is required for new members, payable within 30 days of first work under an AGVA agreement unless a payroll deduction rider is offered. The union operates a self-funded benefits ecosystem: the AGVA Welfare Trust Fund administers Plan A (Major Medical, dental, optical), Plan B (a supplemental bridge plan for shorter engagements), and Plan M (Medicare supplement), with provider network access through Multiplan/PHCS. The Margie Coate Sick & Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance. In June 2026, AGVA launched an online member portal (with PayPal integration) to digitize dues and initiation collection, and relocated its national office to 350 Seventh Avenue in New York. The union is run with a small staff of approximately 11 employees across its New York headquarters and a North Hollywood West Coast office, with a leadership team comprising an Executive President, Executive Vice-President, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Director of Membership, business representatives for Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, and multiple regional vice presidents.

Name

American Guild of Variety Artists

Legal name

American Guild of Variety Artists

Website

https://agvausa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) is an AFL-CIO affiliated labor union founded in 1939 that represents performing artists and stage managers in live variety performances across the United States, negotiating Collective Bargaining Agreements, administering self-funded health benefits through the AGVA Welfare Trust Fund, and issuing required federal visa consultation letters for international performers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AGVA generates revenue through membership dues assessed three times annually (April 1st, August 1st, December 1st). Dues are based on previous year's AGVA earnings, ranging from $72/year for earnings $0-4,999 to $795/year for earnings $35,000 or more.
2. Initiation Fees: One-time initiation fee of $750 required for new members, payable in full no later than 30 days after first day of work under an AGVA agreement, unless a deduction rider is offered by employer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AGVA is a labor union that represents performing artists and stage managers in live variety performances by negotiating Collective Bargaining Agreements with producers and employers to set salary minimums, working conditions, health benefits, and rehearsal regulations. It administers the AGVA Welfare Trust Fund (self-funded medical, dental, and optical coverage under Plans A, B, and M) and the Margie Coate Sick & Relief Fund for emergency financial assistance to members in distress.

Product overview

The American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) is an AFL-CIO affiliated labor union that operates as a membership-based organization rather than a traditional software product company. The core offering is union representation for performers and stage managers, which encompasses several interconnected services: union membership with Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation, the AGVA Welfare Trust Fund (comprising Plan A as the primary Major Medical insurance, Plan B as a supplemental bridge plan, and Plan M as a Medicare supplement), and the Margie Coate Sick & Relief Fund providing emergency financial assistance. Supporting services include immigration/visa consultation for international performers, an online member portal for dues payments, and access to exclusive auditions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AGVA Membership Labor union membership providing representation for performing Artists and Stage Managers in live variety performances, including negotiation of Collective Bargaining Agreements, salary bond requirements, and eligibility for union-administered benefits.
• AGVA Welfare Trust Fund (Plans A, B, and M) Self-funded health benefits plan providing medical, optical, and dental coverage to AGVA performers and stage managers employed under AGVA Collective Bargaining Agreements. Includes Plan A (Major Medical with dependent child coverage), Plan B (supplemental bridge coverage between days 3-15 of employment), and Plan M (Medicare supplement for members eligible for both Plan A and Medicare). Note: Plan A dental benefits increased from $2,000 to $3,000/year and optical benefits from $200 to $300/year effective April 1, 2024.
• AGVA Margie Coate Sick & Relief Fund Emergency financial aid program providing confidential assistance to AGVA members and former members experiencing financial distress, including help with rent, utilities, telephone bills, and limited emergency grants. Operates through a separate office to ensure privacy. Also presents variety shows at The Actors Home in Englewood, NJ and senior centers around the U.S.
• Immigration/Performer Visa Consultation Union visa consultation services for international artists coming to the U.S. to perform under AGVA jurisdiction, including processing of O and P visa category consultation letters in compliance with U.S. Federal Immigration law. AGVA holds exclusive authority for this function in the variety performance field.
• Collective Bargaining Agreements Individually negotiated agreements with employers and producers covering salary minimums, working conditions, health benefits, rehearsal regulations, overtime provisions, travel stipulations, vacation and sick pay, publicity and promotion procedures, audition procedures, and general work rules. Producers initiate agreement requests through AGVA's contracts team.
• AGVA Member Portal Online membership management platform enabling AGVA members to access their accounts, pay dues and initiation fees via PayPal (credit or debit card), and manage their union membership digitally.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members must remain in good standing and pay dues to work under AGVA contracts, ensuring sustained membership engagement

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Associated Actors and Artistes of America (The 4 As)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGVA is a member of The Associated Actors and Artistes of America (The 4 As), currently under the auspices of the DPE (Department for Professional Employees). The 4 As is a confederation of entertainment industry unions.
• Actors' Equity Association (AEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister union within The 4 As. AGVA members may crossover to AEA after being a member in good standing for one year, having performed a Principal role under an AGVA agreement, with initiation fee and dues paid in full. AGVA supports AEA organizing efforts (e.g., Disneyland February 2024).
• SAG-AFTRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister union within The 4 As (Screen Actors Guild merged with American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). When AGVA Artists perform in venues outside AGVA jurisdiction, their working conditions are dictated by SAG-AFTRA Collective Bargaining Agreements. AGVA members may crossover to SAG-AFTRA after one year in good standing.
• American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister union within The 4 As. AGVA members may crossover to AGMA after one year of good standing. AGMA covers opera-ballet-modern dance and classical music performers (distinct from AGVA's variety jurisdiction).
• Guild of Italian American Actors (GIAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister union within The 4 As, formerly IAU (Italian Actors Union). Represents Italian American actors.
• AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGVA is an AFL-CIO affiliated labor union, connecting it to the broader American labor movement and providing institutional support and resources.
• Department for Professional Employees (DPE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 4 As (including AGVA) is under the auspices of the DPE, which provides coordination and support for professional employee unions.
• Multiplan/PHCScoreTechnology or IntegrationAGVA Welfare Trust Fund participates in Multiplan for hospital coverage and PHCS for medical providers. Members may choose any provider, but utilizing PHCS network providers reduces costs. Members can search for providers at Multiplan.com.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE): Much larger AFL-CIO affiliated entertainment union covering stagecraft workers, technicians, and behind-the-scenes crews. Comparable as an AFL-CIO entertainment union with collective bargaining authority and welfare benefits, though serving a technically distinct (non-performing) workforce.
• American Federation of Musicians (AFM): AFL-CIO affiliated union representing professional musicians in live, broadcast, and recording settings. Comparable as a 4 As-adjacent performing arts union with shared collective bargaining mechanics, immigration services, and welfare fund infrastructure.
• Directors Guild of America (DGA): AFL-CIO affiliated union representing directors, assistant directors, and related craft in film, TV, and new media. Comparable as an entertainment union with the same collective bargaining, dues, and benefits framework, though serving a higher-earning creative branch.
• Writers Guild of America (WGA): AFL-CIO affiliated union representing writers across film, TV, streaming, and new media. Comparable as a major entertainment industry union with analogous CBA negotiation model and benefits administration, though focused on writers rather than performers.

Direct peers

• American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA): Sister union under The 4 As representing opera, ballet, modern dance, and classical music performers. Directly comparable in structure — AFL-CIO affiliated performing artists union with similar dues tiers, CBA negotiation model, and Mutual crossover pathway.
• Actors' Equity Association (AEA): Sister union under The 4 As representing actors and stage managers in live theatrical productions. Direct comparable — same union federation, similar dues/CBA structure, overlapping jurisdiction with AGVA on certain stage roles and the same Disneyland workforce that AGVA currently covers.
• SAG-AFTRA: Sister union under The 4 As and the principal entertainment union representing performers in recorded media (film, TV, radio, streaming). Directly comparable as an AFL-CIO affiliated performer union with analogous collective bargaining, dues, and benefits administration model.
• Guild of Italian American Actors (GIAA): The fifth member of The 4 As, formerly the Italian Actors Union. Directly comparable as a small AFL-CIO affiliated performer union with similar dues, CBA, and crossover arrangements, and overlapping variety/television/film membership.

Others

• AFL-CIO: Parent federation to which AGVA is affiliated. Comparable as the institutional sponsor and political/advocacy umbrella for AGVA and its 4 As sister unions — relevant context for understanding AGVA's regulatory standing, not a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC): Independent labor union representing stage directors and choreographers in live theatrical productions. Comparable as a labor union for stage talent with similar bargaining mechanics; only partial overlap with AGVA's performer focus, and not part of the AFL-CIO.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-guild-of-variety-artists

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about American Guild of Variety Artists