ARP Foundation Launches Back-to-School Fundraiser With Two Simple Goals: Preserve the Legacy and Expand ARPs for All
Campaign runs August 18 through October 13, 2026, seeking $17,500 to acquire and preserve rare pieces of synthesizer history and to grow the Foundation's ARPs for All education program
Kingston, NY, August 18, 2026 —Building on the momentum of the Alan R. Pearlman Centennial celebration, the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation has announced its 2026 Back-to-School Fundraiser, running August 18 through October 13, 2026. The campaign seeks to raise $17,500 to do two things: preserve the history of ARP Instruments, and expand hands-on educational opportunities through the Foundation's ARPs for All initiative.
Founded to honor the life and legacy of legendary synthesizer pioneer Alan R. Pearlman, the Foundation preserves the history of ARP Instruments while ensuring that the spirit of innovation and accessibility that defined Alan's work continues to inspire future generations. As students return to classrooms, studios, and creative spaces this fall, the Foundation invites the global synthesizer community to invest in music education, mentorship, and preservation.
This year's fundraiser supports two goals — $17,500 in all
1. Preserve the Legacy — $7,500
Acquire and preserve a recently discovered archive of never-before-seen photographs taken inside ARP Instruments during the 1970s — an extraordinary glimpse into one of the most influential synthesizer companies in history — along with a vintage ARP string ensemble.
2. Expand ARPs for All — $10,000
Grow the Foundation's education program by bringing vintage ARP synthesizers into classrooms, museums, libraries, and community spaces; restoring and maintaining the instruments so they stay playable (including new assistive-technology upgrades); and adding another vintage instrument to the collection so even more communities can experience these historic sounds firsthand.
Support the Foundation — Receive Exclusive Thank-You Gifts
As a thank you for helping preserve synthesizer history, supporters can choose from a variety of exclusive rewards generously donated by members of the synthesizer community. The reward ladder is simple: each level includes everything below it, plus one new gift — so the more you give, the more you receive. Highlights include:
- One-on-one tutorials with renowned artist Lisa Bella Donna
- Anthony Marinelli's “Think Like a Synth” course
- Cherry Audio software, including the Synth Stack 6
- KORG Collection software bundle
- Bjooks rewards — PATCH & TWEAK digital subscription and hardcover editions
- EVERSYNTH ARP Odyssey t-shirts, ARP magnets, Eurorack blanks, and postcard sets
- A drawing for a Day at ARPs for All Studios in Boston
“The Centennial reminded us that Alan Pearlman's legacy lives on not only through the instruments he designed, but through the people they continue to inspire,” said Dina Pearlman, Founder and Executive Director of the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation. “This Back-to-School campaign comes down to two things: preserving history, and putting these instruments into more hands. Every contribution helps us do both.”
Continuing a Legacy of Education and Mentorship
Alan R. Pearlman believed that technology should empower creativity. That philosophy continues through the Foundation's ARPs for All initiative, which brings vintage synthesizers out of storage and into the hands of students, artists, educators, and curious newcomers through educational residencies, workshops, mentorship, and ongoing restoration — keeping these instruments playable and accessible rather than simply preserved as museum pieces.
Closing an Extraordinary Centennial Year
This June marked the official conclusion of the Alan R. Pearlman Centennial Celebration, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Alan's birth on June 7, 1925. What began as a centennial celebration has become something even greater — a renewed commitment to preserving synthesizer history and inspiring future generations. This summer fundraiser represents the next chapter, so that Alan Pearlman's spirit of innovation will continue inspiring musicians for the next hundred years.
To learn more, donate, or explore reward tiers, visit: https://arpchives.org/arp-late-summer-2026-fundraiser/
For more information on the ARP Foundation, please visit: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/
About Alan R. Pearlman Foundation
The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Alan R. Pearlman, founder of ARP Instruments and a pioneer in electronic music technology. Through educational initiatives, artist collaborations, archival preservation, and public programming, the Foundation seeks to inspire future generations of musicians, engineers, and creators. By celebrating innovation and fostering community, the ARP Foundation continues Pearlman’s mission of expanding the boundaries of sound and musical expression.
