The Cliburn

Established in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1962, the quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition remains the most visible expression of our mission and is, as always, committed to its original ideals of supporting and launching the careers of emerging artists. It shares the transformative powers of music with a wide global audience, through fully produced broadcasts and by providing comprehensive career management and concert bookings to its winners. Rounding out its mission, the Cliburn also produces the Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists (fourth edition, June 2027) for exceptional pianists ages 13–17, and the inaugural Cliburn International Competition for Conductors (first edition, June 2028) for outstanding conductors.

Over a four-year cycle, the Cliburn contributes to North Texas’ cultural landscape with over 170 classical music performances for 150,000 attendees through competitions, free community concerts, and its signature Cliburn Concerts series. Cliburn in the Classroom, the Cliburn's music education program and recipient of D CEO Magazine's 2024 Innovation in Education Award, presents 1,000 free, in-school, and interactive concert experiences for more than 200,000 area elementary students. 

Known for excellence and innovation in the digital space, the Cliburn is one of the most-watched events in classical music: video views over the past four years have topped 100 million across 200 countries.