Gibson donates 100 guitars to Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Gibson Foundation on Monday presented 100 electric guitars to the city of Austin to support the development of arts-rich schools and expand creative learning opportunities for Austin school students.

Mayor Lee Leffingwell presented the guitars to Brent Hasty, president of the cultural arts education organization,  mindPOP. MindPOP is the lead convener of the Any Given Child partnership that includes the Austin Independent School District and the city of Austin.

“We applaud the generosity of the Gibson Foundation, and we are honored to present these guitars to mindPOP to be used by our community arts partners and school teachers for the benefit of our students,” said Mayor Leffingwell.

Famed guitarist Ray Benson, founder of Asleep at the Wheel, was also present Monday. “This donation will make a big difference in a lot of children's lives, and a lot of music,” said Benson.

This gift is in recognition of the prestigious Any Given Child initiative in Austin, earned from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which created this unprecedented partnership under the leadership and guidance of mindPOP.

Almost 1,400 students in the Austin school district participate in guitar programs at 10 high schools and 11 middle schools throughout the city. Guitar is among the fastest-growing musical instrument choices in AISD as more students are drawn to the string instrument’s strong cultural heritage in genres such as jazz, mariachi and classical music.

“The Any Given Child creative learning initiative highlights cultural heritage as an essential component of an arts-rich education,” Greg Goodman, director of AISD’s fine arts programs, said. “As students develop the art of playing guitar, they also have the opportunity to tap into the instrument’s rich, cultural heritage to express themselves.”

Gibson’s gift of electric guitars will strengthen the district’s fine arts programs, especially for jazz and blues performers, the city said in a news released.