Anthropos Arts connects low-income youth with professional musicians to cultivate confidence, integrity, and life-skills through musical instruction and mentorship. Students get free instruction and mentoring from some of the best artists in the country, performance opportunities at Austin’s seminal venues and events, and exposure to a wide range of music as both audience and performer.
Anthropos Arts began in 1998 at Travis and Reagan High School, with two workshops and 15 students getting free music lessons. Since then, it has provided over 18,000 music lessons to low-income students, over 100 workshops in Title I schools, and over 150 public student performances — all at zero cost to the students, families, and schools.
In addition to an annual showcase of their work, Anthropos Arts students perform in some of the most iconic Austin music events, including at ACL and SXSW.
Through a gift of $10,000, donors have the opportunity to sponsor a school. Anthropos Arts collaborates with 16 middle and high schools in three Central Texas districts (Austin ISD, Manor ISD, and KIPP Austin Public Schools). Anthropos Arts works closely with the band programs to identify students for its Music Mentor Program, which provide free music lessons with a professional musician, mentoring, and performance opportunities.
