ACF | connect
The American Composers Forum has offered a National Composition Contest in partnership with prominent American ensembles since 2010. We are pleased to announce the launch of a new, enhanced version of this program called ACF | connect.
ACF | create
The American Composers Forum (ACF) champions composers and other creative musicmakers, and boosts their careers with professional opportunities. Our ACF | Create formerly known as the Jerome Fund for New Music (Jfund) supports the creation, presentation, and subsequent life of a new work. This program is for early career composers that reside in Minnesota or the five boroughs of New York City.
Composing Inclusion
Composing Inclusion is a partnership between ACF, The Juilliard School’s Preparatory Division, and the New York Philharmonic. This new commissioning collaboration brings together multiple generations, musical levels, perspectives, and community members in the creation and performance of new music. Composing Inclusion is generously funded by a grant from the Sphinx Venture Fund.
McKnight Composer Fellowships
The American Composers Forum is pleased to announce the 2025 McKnight Composer Fellowships. This program is made possible by the generous support of The McKnight Foundation.
McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies
The American Composers Forum is pleased to announce the 2025 McKnight Visiting Composers Residency Program. This program is made possible by the generous support of The McKnight Foundation.
Racial Equity for Artists: Musical Creators Leading Change
As an organization dedicated to living musical creators and cultivating a community for their work to thrive in, ACF strives to be diverse, inclusive, and equitable like many in our shared ecosystem. To do so, however, we must acknowledge the historical exclusion of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists in the musical world - particularly Western European-based classical music - and provide a platform to the very artists we seek to support. We invite our community of artists, partners, colleagues, and leaders to join us in listening, learning, and discovering tangible ideas to activate more racially inclusive and equitable opportunities for creative musical artists today.