FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT
EXACTLY IS MAC?
HOW DID MAC START?
HOW DID MAC EVOLVE INTO THE ORGANIZATION IT IS TODAY?
HOW DOES MAC WORK?
HOW DOES MAC SUPPORT ITSELF?
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A MAC MEMBERSHIP?
WHY SHOULD MY CLUB JOIN MAC?
CAN I GET HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MAC?
WHAT ARE THE MAC AWARDS AND WHY?
WHEN AND HOW MAY I USE THE MAC LOGO?
HOW CAN I CONTACT MAC FOR FURTHER INFO?
WHAT
EXACTLY IS MAC?
The acronym MAC stands for the Manhattan
Association of Cabarets & Clubs. (Originally, the acronym was Manhattan
Association of Cabarets, but as MAC evolved, it grew to include comedy and
jazz clubs, thus adding "& Clubs" to its definition). MAC is
a trade organization — designation, 501C6 — with a dues-paying membership.
It is classified as not-for-profit. This should not be confused with a charity
or foundation classified as a non-profit designation, 501C3. Contributions
to MAC are not tax deductible as they would be to a charity. If you treat
your performing/artistic career as a business for tax purposes, you may be
able to deduct your membership dues as a business expense; consult your accountant.
Generally, people who give money to MAC do so with real love and support for
the live performing arts, since there is no other financial benefit or "write-off"
for a contribution beyond, possibly, one’s dues.
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HOW DID MAC START?
MAC was founded in 1983 as an organization
of businesspeople in the cabaret industry, comprising club owners, booking
agents, managers, journalists and publicists. Its original intent was "to
heighten the public's awareness of cabaret as an art form"* and to unify
and empower the various cabarets around NYC. MAC’s purpose was primarily about
improving the climate in which the business of owning and running those clubs
was conducted and, when necessary, to serve as an advocate for those in the
cabaret business.
*(Taken from MAC's original Statement of Purpose).
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HOW DID MAC EVOLVE INTO THE ORGANIZATION IT IS TODAY?
As word of MAC’s existence spread, performers
showed interest in joining, seeing it as an opportunity to be both represented
and to network with their fellow artists. In addition, people who love the
live performing arts and have a passionate interest in seeing them continue
and thrive also joined, as did more clubs around the city and beyond—from
as far away as California.
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HOW DOES MAC WORK?
MAC has evolved to accommodate its increasing
size and the wants and needs of its membership. It is a corporation and thus
has a Board of Directors, elected by the membership. The Board in turn elects
its Officers. Per NY state law, its business is of public record.
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It is a volunteer organization and, along with its Board, solicits the help
and involvement of its members to assist the Board with various tasks. This
ranges from helping with mailings, staffing tables for MAC Seminars and Songwriters
Showcases, to backstage gofers for the annual MAC Awards Show—anything that
needs to get done. Members are encouraged to volunteer for various Committee
work and, if they are willing, to devote the time and commitment required
to run for and serve on the Board of Directors.
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HOW DOES MAC SUPPORT ITSELF?
Member dues are the major source of MAC’s
revenues. MAC also solicits contributions from patrons of the live performance
arts who are eager to see cabaret, comedy and jazz survive and flourish in
the culture. MAC is in the ongoing process of forming relationships with some
larger sponsors to help underwrite the various activities and events comprising
the MAC calendar year (seminars, showcases, Awards Show, etc.).
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A MAC MEMBERSHIP?
• Upon joining, a member receives the member
mailing list, offered in a choice of formats, for use in publicizing events,
shows, CD releases, etc.
• Almost all members discount cover charges for their shows to MAC members,
making seeing each other’s work more affordable.
• MAC Seminars are offered over the course of a year, covering a broad range
of both art and business related topics of interest. Seminars are free to
MAC members.
• The MAC/ASCAP Songwriters Showcases take place several times a year. Member
composers and lyricists enjoy an opportunity to share their work at these
immensely popular evenings. Members pay discounted admissions charges.
• MAC Night Out events are held at various member clubs throughout the year.
These serve as both networking opportunities for the membership and chances
for members to familiarize themselves with the diverse roster of MAC Member
Clubs.
• MAC serves as an advocate for its membership. At various times over its
history, MAC has been an active participant in dialogues designed to change
or overturn legislation adversely affecting our community of performers and
clubs.
• Additionally, MAC members are offered a discounted, first crack at tickets
for the MAC Awards, before they go on sale to the public.
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WHY SHOULD MY CLUB JOIN MAC?
• MAC provides opportunities for clubs to
participate in more affordable, group advertising.
• MAC member clubs also receive the MAC Mailing List, in a choice of three
formats, for use in their promotional campaigns, event calendar mailings,
etc.
• The MAC Night Out program gives MAC clubs the opportunity to host one of
these networking events, which will bring attention to the club and introduce
its space to MAC members, many of whom are performers who might be interested
in booking the club. It’s a win-win event for MAC members and MAC clubs.
• MAC provides a decal that a club may display to identify itself as a MAC
member club, announcing that it is a valued, participating member of MAC and
the entertainment community.
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CAN I GET HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MAC?
Over the course of its 20 year history, MAC has looked into whether it is
possible to offer its members health insurance. Periodically, MAC revisits
this question and the recurring conclusion is that it is just not economically
feasible for MAC members to obtain their health insurance through the organization.
MAC is simply too small in membership to qualify for the discounts that larger
groups, unions and the like receive. As a result, members are able to get
more affordable health insurance through either their place of employment,
an HMO, or other groups, such as Actor’s Equity, The Actors Fund and The Musician’s
Union, Local 802. If the organization’s numbers swell or the nature of health
care takes a positive turn and becomes more consumer friendly, MAC would then
be in a position to offer such a service. However, MAC will continue exploring
the possibility.
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WHAT ARE THE MAC AWARDS AND WHY?
Originally, MAC Awards were simply given by the Board of Directors to whoever
they felt had made a contribution to live entertainment--be it a business
person, local performer, dedicated critic or cabaret luminary.
Over the last 20 years, as the membership and club roster grew, the Awards
process underwent many changes and it continues to evolve. (Further Awards
information and the criteria to be met to be eligible for a MAC Award can
be found on the web site.)
The MAC Award is given to celebrate excellence in a particular category achieved
during a calendar year. It has increased in stature as the organization has
evolved. Because there are so few opportunities to acknowledge the thousands
of artists who make up live performance nightlife in NYC, the MAC Awards are
important to the entertainment community. The annual Awards Show provides
a forum in which to shine a public spotlight on up and coming, locally established
and nationally recognized cabaret, comedy and jazz performers, as well as
behind the lights professionals.
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WHEN AND HOW MAY I USE THE MAC LOGO?
There are three instances in which the MAC logo may be used in your promotional
materials, ads, etc.
• You may use the logo to indicate you or someone in your show is a MAC member,
e.g., John Doe* and Betty Smith* appearing in “Ballads By Moonlight”…
* [MAC logo] member
• You may use the logo to indicate you are either a MAC Award nominee or Award
winner, e.g., [MAC logo] Award nominee John Doe or [MAC logo] Award winner
Betty Smith
• You may use the logo when offering a cover discount to your show to MAC
members, e.g., $15 cover / $10 cover for [MAC logo] members
• Please contact MAC with any further questions about the logo so we may address
them before you print a flyer or create an ad, to make sure the logo usage
is completely understood.
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HOW CAN
I CONTACT MAC FOR FURTHER INFO?
If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Phone: 212-465-2662
General Email: info@macnyc.com
Tech/Web Support Email: admin@macnyc.com