Hurricane Helene deeply impacted our artistic community for the long haul, leaving many musicians, artists, and performers without venues or gigs—and challenged to take good care of themselves and their families. These are the artists who uplift our youth through cultural education and bring joy and light to our community. If you are able at this time, thank YOU for donating to the LEAF Local Artist Relief Fund. All proceeds directly supports our local artists – we support artists and our community! Artists or Community Events are eligible for a $Gift for any community engagements that brings light to others and the artists. It is not a granting process- it is created to feel like a big “hug” and LEAF Love support.
In the aftermath of this disaster, The Dan Lucas Memorial Fund has been a guiding force, being the catalyst for the Artist Fund with an extraordinary matching gift to support WNC & LEAF artists. Dan Lucas Memorial Fund is dedicated to local Musicians and Cultural Institutions. Over many years, The Lucas family’s unwavering support to AVL and LEAF has been instrumental in keeping culture and music alive!
We invite you to join others in helping sustain our beloved artists during this challenging time. A heartfelt thank you to the Dan Lucas Memorial Fund, Tipitina’s, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Big Pink Music & Friends, Josh Phillips, Kelli Baker & Blues Community, Jack Mascari & Friends, and all those who stand with our artists and community. Together, we make a difference. Thank you for your generosity!
Please consider giving to the LEAF Local Artist Relief Fund. 100% directly supports our local artists.
The Dan Lucas Memorial Fund, Prentice Foundation, Elno Family Foundation, Music’s Promise, Big Pink Music, Kiely Family & many more.
Examples of Some of the Community Events
AN URGENT LETTER FROM THE LEAF BOARD:
For nearly 30 years, LEAF Global Arts has connected people through the power of art, music, and culture. Every shared moment has been made possible because of you – our community.
The LEAF Festival is critical to funding LEAF’s larger work: providing global cultural arts programming for thousands of local youth and preserving cultures and traditions around the world.
This year, we are facing a financial crossroads: between the loss of last fall’s Festival, losing a majority of our arts education funding in 2025, and not fully recovering from COVID, the future is bleak. The upcoming LEAF Festival could be our last if we don’t come together to sustain the heart of LEAF’s mission – but we have seen what this community can do when united for a cause greater than itself.
To open the Festival experience to as many people as possible, and to rally the full spirit of LEAF, we are offering a limited number of LEAF LOVE Tickets at a significant discount.
These special tickets, offered at 30% off (our highest discount, even more so than our Early Bird pricing) are our way of ensuring everyone has a place in this story. Full-priced tickets also remain available for those with the means to give a little more to help support LEAF’s vital work.
Your presence, your voice, and your support matter more than ever right now. Join us in making this LEAF Festival one that the world will never forget and ensuring the music continues for generations to come.
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.