Themes and Artists Announced for 2026 Cliburn Festival
2026 Cliburn Festival: America 250 will take place March 26–29, 2026, at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth with pianists-in-residence Peter Dugan, Avery Gagliano, and Jonathan Mamora.
Celebrate the ingenuity, independence, and pure joy of American music. In five concerts over four days, pianists-in-residence Peter Dugan, Avery Gagliano, and Jonathan Mamora will be joined by mezzo-soprano Kara Dugan and an ensemble of string musicians to explore the expanding canon of American music, in a diverse program of solo, chamber, and vocal works.
Watch the incredible performances from the Competition.
Read the latest Competition announcements, career updates from past medalists, profiles on members of the Cliburn community, annual concert and educational programming, and more.
2026 Cliburn Festival: America 250 will take place March 26–29, 2026, at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth with pianists-in-residence Peter Dugan, Avery Gagliano, and Jonathan Mamora.
The platform and exposure we get from this competition, and the support we get both from within the organization and audiences around the world is just incredible.
The Cliburn has been a fabric of our cultural environment in Fort Worth since the 1960s, and its reach to the national and international stages is invaluable.
The Cliburn is in a league of its own. These are Olympic-level pianists, and everyone should take advantage of the opportunity to participate and to hear these young people perform.
For competitors, the Cliburn offers an unparalleled exposure to the international media, presenters, and industry leaders—forging relationships long before the final notes are played—and the Fort Worth audiences will applaud and encourage you as no other audience anywhere.
The dedication of your time and resources fulfills the Cliburn’s mission of providing life-changing opportunities for young pianists, participatory music education for public elementary school children, and access to excellent art for lovers of music.