Guitar Foundation Of America Inc

The Guitar Foundation of America inspires artistry, builds community, and promotes the classical guitar internationally through excellence in performance, literature, education and research. The GFA has been committed to the classical guitar community as the preeminent non-profit organization dedicated to our instrument in the country since its inception.

The GFA was formed in 1973 at the National Guitar Convention sponsored by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). It has, since the 1970's, published the quarterly journal, Soundboard, annual scholarly journal Soundboard Scholar, and quarterly children’s publication Prodigies; established a large archive of scores, books and manuscripts; hosted the annual GFA Convention and Competitions including the prestigious International Concert Artist Competition, International Youth Competition, and International Ensemble Competitions; commissioned composers of the guitar; organized the annual GFA winner’s concert tour currently comprised of approximately 50 concerts around North America, Mexico, Brazil, and Puerto Rico.

In 2022, the GFA will introduce the National School Summit (an event with performances, workshops, and adjudicated performances aimed towards youth across the US).The GFA also reaches youth through Guitar Summit camp for students ages 11-18, a Mentorship Program for students of color, and publication of the GFA Spotlight Series as part of the new programs under Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. GFA's research archive was established in 1974 to accumulate and make available scores, books, manuscripts and other materials for scholars, performers, teachers and students. It contains many first editions and complete collections of the works of early guitar composers and is housed at California State University, Northridge. Its membership includes approximately 2,000 mostly professional classical guitarists, students and teachers in the U.S. and around the world.

ANNUAL CONVENTION - GFA has sponsored (or co-sponsored) conventions for guitarists since 1979. These have been presented annually, except for 1981 and 1984, when GFA cooperated with Guitar '81 and Guitar '84 in Toronto, Ontario. Beginning as small gatherings, these have grown into major international events, drawing guitarists from many countries and showcasing the guitar to devoted audiences as well as engaging new audiences in a different location each year.

COMPETITIONS - To assist guitarists on the verge of major careers, GFA has organized international competitions since 1982. The winners have been some of the leading young guitarists, and the GFA Competition has been very helpful to them in launching their performing careers with GFA-organized recital tours. Competitions include the prestigious Concert Artist division as well as two youth divisions that present the guitarists of the future to the world stage.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM - To support and develop talent among classical guitarists of color through instruction, engagement, and career development. Through this new initiative, we wish to foster equity in the global guitar community through support for underrepresented and underserved members. We aim to deconstruct the barriers of our institution and build a community that engenders a feeling of true welcomeness for all. The program runs from September to June. All mentees will be welcomed to the program individually with a conversation with the GFA leadership team, to get to know more about their goals, and develop an individualized program for career development. Mentees will be assigned to a mentor(s) and will have regular conversations working towards established goals. These goals may include traditional lessons, conversations about repertoire development, advice on next career steps, etc.
Additionally, all mentees will receive a full scholarship to come together for Guitar Summit at the GFA International Convention and Competition (mentees are responsible for their own travel expenses). Please note that this year, the Guitar Summit was postponed to Convention 2023! All mentees will have the opportunity to produce a video performance of a piece by a BIPOC composer, commissioned by the GFA. All mentees within the age range will be eligible to continue in the program for the next year upon review of mentee engagement by the mentors and the GFA leadership. Mentees can participate for up to two years.

We are in need of a part-time Development Director, general operational funding, and support for commissioning new works of music for classical guitar.