AB5 was intended to add clarity to independent contractor rules, but since its passing earlier this year, it has been the source of confusion and concern for orchestras, ensembles, and festivals of all sizes in California that pay some staff and musicians as independent contractors. Moreover, pending amendments (AB 1850 and AB 2257) to the original legislation exempts some musicians from AB5, but not those who perform with symphony orchestras, creating further uncertainties.This session aims to provide information about AB5 and an update on its impact on the statewide arts and culture sector, answer questions about the recent proposed amendments and how they relate to musicians, explain some of the nuts and bolts of employee reclassification, and address some of the most common questions about compliance.
Speakers:
John Acosta
President, American Federation Of Musicians 47
John Acosta currently serves as President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 representing over 7,000 professional musicians in the Southern California area. John also serves as an International Executive Board member of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, President of the Music Fund of Los Angeles, Vice President on the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Executive Board, President on the Music Fund of Los Angeles Board of Directors, Director on the Actors Fund Western Council and Director on the Verdugo-Workforce Investment Board. John hails from the Bronx, New York. His father Juan Acosta was a percussionist from Cuba who worked as a touring musician with Latin jazz greats such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz. In California, John began his recording career working as a composer, guitarist, producer and engineer for artists on Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Geffen, BMG, Elektra and Capitol Records. John's work as a musician led to his work with Local 47, advocating for musicians’ rights.
Julie Baker
Executive Director, Californians for the Arts
Julie Baker is a seasoned arts and marketing professional. Prior to becoming Executive Director of Californians For The Arts and California Arts Advocates in October of 2018, Julie Baker served on the board for four years as chair of the membership committee and of Confluence, an arts advocacy conference. She serves as the California State Captain to Americans for the Arts', National Arts Action Summit and is chair of the visibility committee for the State Arts Action Network. From 2009-2017, Julie Baker served as the Executive Director of The Center for the Arts, a non-profit performing arts venue and California WorldFest, an annual music and camping festival located in Grass Valley, CA.
Prior to moving to California, Baker worked in New York City at several prominent art galleries and the international auction house Christie’s before becoming the President of her family’s art marketing agency, Gerngross & Company Inc. In 1998, she moved with her family to Nevada City, CA where she was first employed as a Senior Executive Producer for Tristream, a 20- person web development and marketing/branding company. In 2001, she returned to her passion for the arts and opened Julie Baker Fine Art, a gallery of emerging artists. She was the co-founder of Flow art fair, a satellite art fair to Art Basel Miami Beach. She is active in her local community including serving on the high school Site Council and the board of California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project. She is the owner of Julie Baker Projects, a full-service arts consulting firm where projects have included talent buying for multiple performing arts centers, curating projects such as the Global Rhythms Series at the Crocker Art Museum and event planning for non-profit organizations.
Sarah Weber
Executive Director, Association of California Symphony Orchestras
Sarah Weber was named the executive director of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) on January 1, 2019. Previously, she served as ACSO’s Membership and Development Manager. Sarah is an experienced arts and culture leader who believes in the power of music. Sarah’s leadership provides members with opportunities to be inspired, to learn, and to connect with colleagues and experts in the classical music field. She has a keen desire to create a sense of belonging for all ACSO members, with appreciation for what it takes to be part of a smaller organization while also respecting the complex challenges faced by larger ones. Sarah’s work for more than fifteen years in the arts and culture sector has been characterized by a focus on organizational health in order to best execute mission-driven initiatives. She’s worked closely with governing boards, participated in multiple strategic planning processes, improved internal infrastructure, and managed departmental budgets, staff, and volunteers. With a background in museum education and operations, Sarah was previously hired by two major museums as a part of new leadership teams. At both the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix and the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles she created fully functioning education departments from the ground up. She also led the education department at the Los Angeles Conservancy, a historic preservation nonprofit, and has contracted with other nonprofits in the areas of fundraising, membership, and operations, including the Pasadena Symphony, the San Bernardino Museum Association, Festival Mozaic, and the Santa Monica Conservancy. Originally from Salt Lake City, Sarah holds a BA in history from the University of Utah and an MA in history and museum studies from Arizona State University. She completed a nine-month leadership fellowship in 2018 through the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Sarah is a violinist and has enjoyed playing in youth and community orchestras throughout her life.