About AFA

AFA enriches the lives of all people through music. We accomplish this mission by:

• Creating programs in nurturing learning environments and fostering a sense of belonging for people from all backgrounds and cultures
• Making music a vehicle for social, personal, intellectual, and emotional growth through creative opportunities and innovative collaborations
• Maintaining a collective of distinguished Faculty Artists who reflect the communities we serve

AFA (American Festival for the Arts) was founded to break down the barriers that exist in music education. We value creativity, individuality, collaboration, and openness and strive to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We are an educational greenhouse where differing ideas, perspectives, and experiences take root and flourish.

AFA welcomes everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, or physical appearance. We acknowledge the impact of systemic racism, discrimination, and injustice in our community. The absence of bias is insufficient for a healthy organization, and we resolve to be intentionally anti-bias and anti-racist.

For over three decades, AFA has inspired thousands of Houstonians through music and will continue to evolve as an organization in order to remain impactful. Read more about the History of AFA.