BECOME A MEMBER

Need a Dues Waiver?

Join us to build a more just and equitable music industry!

We believe that the music economy should benefit all  musicians and allied workers, not line the pockets of billionaires. The only way to make that happen is to come together and demand those changes. 

UMAW is a democratically run organization: we fight for our members because our power comes from our members. Whether you are a gigging musician, songwriter, session player, beatmaker, venue employee, music journalist, label rep, talent buyer, sound tech, roadie or anything else, we want you to join us in making all of our lives better together. The only solution to fixing the injustice around us is to organize.

Our dues system is a sliding scale based on voluntary reporting of income, with the possibility of requesting a dues exemption.

FAQs

  • UMAW is a member-led 501(c)(4) advocacy group, functioning along the lines of a worker center model. As a (c)(4), dues and donations are non-tax deductible.

  • Anyone can participate in UMAW actions and organizing, member or not.

    However, members will be able to participate and guide the organization.

    Members will have access to:

    Voting in UMAW elections (whether for Steering Committee, member referenda, making other membership-wide decisions, etc.)

    Requesting UMAW funding and resources for new campaigns, projects, and organizing efforts.

    Proposing referenda or amendments to UMAW

    Have access to participating in UMAW events. For example, our Fair Pay at SXSW showcases.

    Other benefits that you will get to decide as a dues-paying member!

  • Anyone who both:

    1) works in any capacity in the music industry,

    2) agrees with UMAW’s mission statement and principles.

  • That’s ok! We have a dues waiver form below that you can fill out.

  • To fund UMAW! To build power, we need resources. The more funding we have, the more organizers and other staff people we can hire to run campaigns, conduct educational programming, and do everything else that UMAW does and hopes to do. Right now, we are an almost entirely volunteer-run organization.

    A dues-based funding structure also ensures that UMAW is primarily beholden to its members–the workers–and not to outside funders and corporations.

Membership Dues Waiver

Your ability to pay dues should not impact your membership. What’s most important is that you’re organizing with UMAW — we need each other now more than ever.

Please fill out the following form to request a dues waiver. You will remain a member in good standing for the next 12 months, and we will be in touch before your membership expires to ask you to renew. If you have any existing recurring payments, we will cancel those for you once you fill out this form.

Now is the time for solidarity. We need you with us to build a better world. And a better world is possible!