Alink-Argerich Foundation Information

The Alink-Argerich Foundation came forth from the dedicated worldwide research on piano competitions that Gustav Alink has done for more than 20 years. In all those years, there has never been a sponsor to support these activities. Time and a considerable amount of money was invested in this personal enterprise. Many people believed that the research was part of a doctoral study with the objective to write a thesis. Although the entire research could be called scientific, there was no university behind it. The Alink-Argerich Foundation considers it important that all young musicians who wish to make use of the services and who wish to receive information from AAF, should feel free to contact AAF. However, to maintain this unique position and to keep all information up-to-date, financial support is needed, every year, in order to offer good quality information, while striving at the highest degree of completeness. Competition organisers do co-operate, but some of them are too busy, have different priorities, or simply lack the means or personnel to react promptly. Therefore, AAF must remain alert and active. The amount of competition materials that AAF is dealing with, is unsurpassed: it cannot be matched by any other organisation. To maintain this position, and to continue to operate smoothly, a solid financial backing is needed. The optimal solution would be that the Alink-Argerich Foundation is supported by one or two main sponsors. However, at the time of writing, this is not the case. No government nor company has been generous enough to help out. In order to cover its expenses, AAF has proposed an annual contribution for musicians and competitions that wish to support AAF and that can thus be affiliated to AAF. It can be considered a contribution to the time and efforts invested by AAF. AAF is grateful for each acknowledgment of its usefulness and purposes, and will gladly interpret it as a kind salute that all efforts be continued.