Distinguished Programs has partnered with Johnsonese Brokerage LLC to provide insurance solutions to members of the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), focusing on coverage for musical instruments and the specific needs of touring artists and their representatives.
NITO represents independent talent agencies and managers across the United States, with a collective roster of more than 5,000 artists. The organization advocates for equitable and sustainable practices across the music industry and offers resources and benefits to its members.
Under the new partnership, NITO members will gain access to discounted insurance pricing through a program specifically tailored to the live music sector. The offering includes coverage options for individual instruments as well as equipment used across entire tours.
The insurance offering is part of Distinguished’s Fine Art & Collectibles program, which includes coverage options for items integral to creative work. The program, developed in collaboration with Johnsonese, is structured to address the specific risk profiles of artists, performers, and the professionals who support them.
Christopher D. Johnson, owner of Johnsonese Brokerage, said the program was created to simplify the insurance process for artists and their teams.
“We built this program to make insurance more accessible and less intimidating for artists and their teams,” he said. “Whether you’re insuring a single instrument or an entire tour’s worth of gear, we’re here to make it manageable.”
Patrick Drummond, president of Distinguished’s fine art and collectibles division, said the coverage is designed to respond to the needs of creative professionals and minimize disruption to their work.
“We view instruments not just as insurable items, but as irreplaceable extensions of an artist’s voice,” said Drummond.
Earlier this year, Distinguished Programs and Johnsonese also extended their collaboration to New Music Chicago (NMC), providing similar insurance solutions tailored for composers, performers, and ensembles.
In addition to insurance coverage, NITO also continues to roll out various support initiatives for its members. These include lodging discounts, shared resources across the member base, and partnerships with providers such as EPIC Insurance.
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