Line up announced for LEAF Global Arts Festival, Oct. 17-20, 2024

Join us at LEAF Global Arts Festival to connect to the world and each other through cultural exploration, live music, dance, performance arts, healing arts, workshops, nature, and more. Our year-long theme, World Changers, is a call to art and activism that can be seen, felt, and heard . The intergenerational, family-friendly gathering transforms lives, […]

#SPARKTHEARTSNC ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LEEDA LYRIC JONES

Musician Leeda Lyric Jones, who is LEAF's SparktheArtsNC Artist in Residence for March 2024.

Join us on Friday, March 15, for a performance by Leeda Lyric Jones, LEAF’s Spark the Arts Artist in Residence for March. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a community conversation, followed directly by live music. Free event! The North Carolina Arts Council created Spark the Arts as an awareness campaign. It was designed to […]

LEAF Global Arts Retreat Artists Announced for May

Young musicians and dancers performing with Dance of Hope from Uganda

LEAF Global Arts announces the artists for LEAF Global Arts Retreat, held May 9-12 at historic Lake Eden. This year’s artists reflect our yearlong theme: World Changers — Year of the Artivist. (Artist + Activist = Artivist.) Join us for one of Asheville’s favorite festivals! LEAF Retreat is an intimate, family-friendly gathering of just 1,500 […]

#SparktheArtsNC Artist Spotlight: Mike Martinez

Photo of Mike Martinez singing.

Mike Martinez lives in Asheville, N.C., and is known around the country as a songwriter, vocalist, rapper, activist, frontman, and member of the bands Beekeepers and Natural Born Leaders.

LEAF International Site Visit 2020

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by Schree Chavdarov, Global Engagement Director  REPORT DATE: March 2020 LOCATION: Panama City, Panama CULTURE KEEPER: Yoba Barrantes & Jose Hayans  “I’m inspired by children losing their identity due to living in the (Panama) city. They are  disconnected, but it’s not their fault. As soon as they have contact with their traditions,  something within them click & […]

Mayani is a Maasai boy from longido Arusha. He went to boarding school at 6 years old and lost his Maasai language and tradition. Since joining the LEAF program, he has learned to sing Maasai songs, practiced the ‘jump’ tradition and wear Maasai shukas (traditional clothing). Mayani is extremely happy and is currently teaching other youth the culture.