Fair Play for Musicians
City elected officials across the Bay Area/Northern California
In Spring 2024 Musicians and those who care about a vibrant live performance scene in the Bay Area are piloting the Fair Play Initiative, a grassroots campaign to improve working conditions for Musicians in Bay Area cities; recognizing our key role as committed cultural workers that provide the backbone of local, regional and international culture.
We know that a professional, respectful working environment for Musicians will strengthen the whole lively arts landscape, from the workers up, for generations to come. However, unless we act now, together, a signature element of Bay Area culture could go silent.
Professional Musicians in the Bay Area are paid on average less than they were in 1985 while all costs of living and working have skyrocketed.
Cities too often do not pay a respectful living wage for musicians or require their contractors or subcontractors to do so.
Fair Play Initiative is a grassroots coalition of musicians working together to improve our working conditions.
Help strengthen a vibrant music scene in the Bay Area and beyond by voicing your support for Fair Play for Musicians today.
Read More About the Campaign
Fair Play ‘s first step is to partner with selected cities to establish a guaranteed pay “floor” secured through a Prevailing Wage ordinance in city Charters. It would not put a “ceiling” on what Musicians are paid to work on municipally-financed events, series, and festivals but rather standardize a minimum rate to help eliminate unclear or exploitive pay practices that can’t sustain Musicians sufficiently to live in and contribute their craft to the very expensive Bay Area.
Following up on this prevailing wage effort, Fair Play will further shore up Musicians’ working conditions and opportunities: initiate city-based fair procurement standards that include Equity in booking, full disabled access and professional protections and benefits for all working Musicians, along with other city-based support favorable to venues, community agencies, and producers who adhere to these protocols (such as permitting help and grants) to help venues & producers who strive to treat Musicians fairly.
Who We Are
The Fair Play Initiative is sponsored by a coalition of grassroots organizations, organized Labor and cultural producers, including: Independent Musicians Alliance, Jazz in the Neighborhood, Whippoorwill Arts , AFM Local 6, San Francisco Labor Council, Contra Costa County Labor Council, Alameda County Labor Council, South Bay Labor Council, IATSE Local 16, Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy, and -You!
Help strengthen a vibrant music scene in the Bay Area and beyond by voicing your support for Fair Play for Musicians today.
Sponsored by
To:
City elected officials across the Bay Area/Northern California
From:
[Your Name]
We know that a professional, respectful working environment for Musicians will strengthen the whole lively arts landscape, from the workers up, for generations to come. However, unless we act now, together, a signature element of Bay Area culture could go silent.
Professional Musicians in the Bay Area are paid on average less than they were in 1985 while all costs of living and working have skyrocketed.
Cities too often do not pay a respectful living wage for musicians or require their contractors or subcontractors to do so.
Fair Play Initiative is a grassroots coalition of musicians working together to improve our working conditions.
We are calling on you, our city officials, to support Fair Play ‘s first step in partnering with you to establish a guaranteed pay “floor” secured through a Prevailing Wage ordinance in city Charters.