LEAF Global Art Gratitude Report 2019

A nonprofit organization, building community, connecting cultures and enriching lives through the arts – locally & globally – with festivals, community events and arts education programs.

2019

annual gratitude report theLEAF.org

a US school for the first time, and you are the “young global artist” sharing while learning. As the residency and festival progressed, Brianna’s sacred songs and dance came to life and bridged her world to local kids. She and Luis closed the 49th Festival in a sacred song that they carry forward from over a thousand years of tradition.

Executive Director, Jennifer Pickering & Navigator Staff 2019

Hello

Beloved LEAF Members, Sponsors, Donors, Partners & Community, The pulsating energy, happiness, and pride were radiating as the rhythms of LEAF International Haiti, Tanzania, and Asheville came together with Cultural Ambassadors, Dirtwire.

Claude, Stanley, Hezron, Joseph, Edward, David, and Nex in bright stage lights encapsulated years of dreams, classes, songwriting, learning technology, visa interviews, recording sessions at Echo Mountain and LEAF teaching artists’ dedication leading up to this moment on stage together at LEAF Festival. The political, social and geographic barriers were cast away. The power of cultural exchange through music was alive and at its best. As all of the pieces of this moment rushed through me, I was overwhelmed with gratitude to have the gift to work with young people, artists and families across the world and in our community.

This was one of the hundreds of 2019 moments of “WHY We Create LEAF”. How did this globally powerful event come to be? To start with… LEAF Membership!

My gratitude for MEMBERS is abundant – THANK YOU in every language! Your support shows you believe in LEAF’s mission! While you may only see a glimpse of LEAF in action, you know the staff and teaching artists are dedicated to creating empowering opportunities for young people as they discover other cultures as well as their own through the lens of global arts.

Membership, Sponsor, & Partner support was the key to LEAF last year, as many unexpected “opportunities” arose such as feisty weather, political visa challenges, and LEAF Global Arts center construction. Amidst the unknown, I watched LEAFers rise up together in ways that engaged superpowers and loving-kindness.

Several visas for the LEAF Costa Rica team were denied, and parents became fearful of their kids going to the US. However, Brianna, 13 years old, walked the rugged 22 miles leaving her Cabecar First Nation for the 1st time with her teacher and Culture Keeper Luis. She arrived at LEAF shy, only speaking Cabecar, yet vowing to represent her First Nation’s youth in song and ceremony. Imagine stepping into

2

Scrolling through LEAF photos of 2019 before sitting down to write this missive, I was overwhelmed with the abundance and diversity of extraordinary people (like YOU) dancing, creating, learning, painting, drumming, singing, recording, teaching, sharing, exploring, and connecting. I recall watching parks in Asheville come to life with LEAF artists inspiring, teachers lighting up as they learn how to integrate global citizenship into their classes, kids proudly taking the U-LEAF stage by dance storm in their community, the eagerness of a kid immersing himself in art, kids finding their “skills & positive power” as they ran the soundboards, the pure joy of kids erupting with Haitian musicians who were transforming into teachers at the same time. For many, LEAF creates experiences or opportunity that transforms their positive path and defines how they show up in the world now and in the future.

WHY am I so grateful to be celebrating 25 years and building a new future? I have watched and experienced LEAF transform peoples’ lives in such unique ways connecting them to the world, to themselves and to others with a global and cultural lens that fuels the essence and spirit of people, places, and traditions – that ignites people’s belonging & magical connection to the world! The individual stories are so BIG & BEAUTIFUL – I could share all day long! Such as watching David transform from a kid living on the streets to an international artist mentoring hundreds of kids in his own village and now on a LEAF journey helping people in Zambia be inspired to discover their own culture! For some LEAF inspires, and for some the LEAF experience transforms their lives in BIG ways like Adama-David-Breah-Fredy-BrianSarah-Cornbread-Annie (so many!!). Then they pass “it” forward through their traditions. This is the BEST of being human and living like a global citizen with curiosity and connection. LEAF has created this place-idea-experienceeducation-cultural exchange-stage-community that has so many points of access and engagement.

Living life like LEAF is a soul-full experience of learning to dance, embrace poetry, heal, find new friends, discover cultures through new music, watch Jams all while witnessing kids learn how to play the drum & trumpet or find the wonder of creating art... and finding HAPPINESS through these moments. While I so want to know all the LEAF stories, and share them with you, I have come to a place of peace of knowing that we plant so many seeds at LEAF and they grow in wondrous ways. We are able to do so with your support, and for that, we are forever grateful.

LEAF Love & Gratitude, Jennifer Pickering, LEAF Executive Director

theLEAF.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from Jennifer ........................................................... 2

Signature Events

Financials ........................................................................... 4

LEAF Festival .................................................................... 12

Impact ................................................................................ 5

LEAF Downtown ............................................................... 14

Cultural Arts Education

Global Arts Experiences

LEAF Schools & Streets .................................................... 6

LEAF Global Arts ............................................................. 16

LEAF International ............................................................ 8

Supporters

Kennedy Center Partnership ........................................ 10

Members, Funders, & Donors ........................................ 18

Learning Journeys ......................................................... 10

Board of Directors .......................................................... 20

Cultural Exchange ........................................................... 11

Volunteers ........................................................................ 20

Cultural Expedition ......................................................... 11

Sponsors & Partners ....................................................... 21

"The shortest distance between two people is a STORY, a SONG or a DANCE." ~ Masankho Banda, LEAF Ambassador

theLEAF.org

3

A GLANCE AT 2019 FINANCIALS

REVENUE

EXPENSES

LEAF Global Arts is grateful to have achieved a Silver Star rating from GuideStar.

If you care about nonprofits and the work they do, then you are affected by what GuideStar does. GuideStar gathers and disseminates information about every registered nonprofit organization. They provide as much information as they can about each nonprofit’s mission, legitimacy, impact, reputation, finances, programs, transparency, governance, and more so that you can take that information and make the best giving decisions. *Copies of our audited financial statements for 2019 are available upon request at engagement@theLEAF.org.

4

theLEAF.org

“She’s more open to different cultures and customs. She became more curious about it and started asking questions to learn more.” ~Estes Elementary Parent

WHY IS CULTIVATING CULTURAL CURIOSITY IMPORTANT? At the beginning of 2020, LEAF evolved our name from LEAF Community Arts to LEAF Global Arts. The name change marks the organizational growth from a local music festival to a robust global non-profit organization with partners, programs and impact across the world. LEAF Global Arts is a natural, yet transformative step for LEAF, one that we are building with the intention of connecting communities to the larger world by cultivating cultural curiosity through cultural arts global learning.

Global learning at LEAF is about facilitating educational cultural arts experiences that allow participants to appreciate diverse perspectives, understand the connections they have to the wider world, respectively and effectively communicate and collaborate across cultures and countries, and creatively use knowledge to investigate and take action on issues that matter to them, and the wider world. As our world pauses with a global pandemic, we realize more than ever that global learning through cultural arts should not be an “extra” or “nice-to-have” course that only a handful of students can take. Why? Through cultural arts, longheld traditions and perspectives can easily be integrated as a lens for building bridges of understanding connecting the global community to tackle global issues with heart & wisdom brought forth from our collective history. Furthermore, global learning can lead to holistic student outcomes like academic/work success and overall well-being.

Through this work, LEAF Global Arts connects each of us to ourselves, our community, and the world with a bold vision & great hope for a more connected humanity and harmonious planet.

OUR IMPACT IN 2019 LEAF SCHOOLS & STREETS 10,293+ youth served (experiencing residencies, workshops and/or performances) 3,620+ youth participating in Easel Rider activities 589 youth performers 170+ Easel Rider events 1050+ Resident Teaching Artist classes 70 unique cultural arts programs 17 Visiting Teaching Artist Residencies 25 Easel Rider and Resident Teaching Artists activated in the community LEAF INTERNATIONAL 10 countries | 11 programs 4 ONEmic Studios 15 Cultural Exchanges 71 Cultural Exchanges to date 18 Culture Keepers & Teaching Artists 1200+ youth participants weekly 3250+ youth participants since 2006!

theLEAF.org

LEAF FESTIVAL 20+ Countries Represented 860 Performing Artists 220 Individual Shows (Not including secret sets!)

90+ Healing Arts workshops 30+ Earth Skills workshops 35 Family Adventure workshops 60 Waterfront performances & workshops 15 Visiting Teaching Artist Residencies LEAF DOWNTOWN AVL 30,000+ attendance 35+ Performances 200+ Performers 12+ Partner Orgs in Voices of Asheville 80 Handcraft & Culinary Vendors

495,000+ patrons attended & 103 different countries represented since 1995!

5

87%

of youth participants reported feeling more valued by their community.

88%

of youth reported learning about another culture.

96%

of parents reported that their child had higher self-esteem. ďƒŤ Did you know?

Students who participate in community-based arts programs like LEAF Schools & Streets have a stronger selfunderstanding and confidence in their ability to do things well, and greater sense of self-worth and self-esteem (Heath & Roach, 1999). Research finds that both the visual and performing arts provide a way for students to explore, create, and express their identity.

6

GUIDING STATEMENT LEAF Schools & Streets cultural arts programs use the arts to bridge cultures and create life-affirming, community building experiences – empowering our youth to become global citizens, leaders and agents of positive change.

THE NEED LEAF Schools & Streets recognizes the power of cultural arts as a vessel for community building by strengthening intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships, empowering individuals and strengthening leadership from the local community outward.

LEAF SCHOOLS & STREETS lesson plans, curriculum and evaluation align with the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP), developed by the Search Institute, a nonprofit organization that studies and works to strengthen youth success in schools, youth programs, families, and communities. The Search Institute has identified 40 assets which comprise a set of skills, experiences, relationships, and behaviors that enable young people to develop into successful and contributing adults. Building these assets prepare youth for success in some type of college or education, a career and citizenship. Of the 40 Developmental Assets, LEAF Schools & Streets has identified 6 assets (community values youth, adult role models, creative activities, cultural competence, personal power and self-esteem) that exemplify the types of skills our programs help to develop in our students.

theLEAF.org

COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE Resident Teaching Artist Kylie Irvin and her husband Sam Irvin teach the LEAF Schools & Streets Brass Band Exploration class on Monday afternoons for Christine W. Avery Learning Center.

She recently reported on her progress and great rapport with one of her students who she had previously taught at Candler Elementary. Kylie recalls one of their first classes together in the fall semester of 2019 as they started working on trombone. “We talked a lot about music, played the first 5 notes, and about his home life,” she describes. “It’s really cool that JJ is a part of our group! It sounds like he’s been through some rough stuff with a lot of different people in his life, so I feel happy to be something that can connect him to his past and he’s really into learning more music!”

Positive, integrated Resident Teaching Artists like Kylie connect young people with the larger community and demonstrate the value of having positive role models for youth. The connections built between artists and students exemplify the power of the arts to overcome boundaries regardless of backgrounds, cultures, status, and age. JJ himself has noted his appreciation for the opportunity to take classes with Kylie and Sam: “I was a bad kid in 4th grade. I’m not good in school but I’ve always enjoyed my music teachers. Music teachers are different from other teachers.”

“Our conversations had an impact because though I think he struggles to fit in, he seems to be very respectful towards me and we have a good rapport which I’m grateful for.” Kylie explains, and notes the positive impact on JJ’s self-esteem as he progresses, as working with instruments gives him something to be proud of. “He’s willing to try improvisation which can be intimidating at first but he just goes for it now which I’m so happy to see!”

 WATCH

LEAF Schools & Streets Highlights 2019 bit.ly/schoolsandstreets2019

LEAF Visiting Teaching Artist Paul Beaubrun & W.W. Estes Elementary Students Performance bit.ly/PaulBeaubrunEstes Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFGlobalArts

theLEAF.org

7

GUIDING STATEMENT LEAF International is dedicated to cultural preservation, the fostering of global citizenship, and cultural exchange. LEAF collaborates with communities to support Culture Keepers who teach local youth their traditional arts.

THE NEED LEAF International envisions a world where communities actively engage their youth in learning their cultural traditions, empowering them with the life skills necessary to be active agents of change in their communities, and in our world at large.

We believe in the power of music, art, and culture to empower individuals and transform lives. LEAF recognizes that these benefits are both tangible and intangible and that at times, quantifying & qualifying the impact of arts education can be elusive. LEAF INTERNATIONAL utilizes the Culture for Development Indicators as a guiding framework for the development, the evaluation and the monitoring of programs.

Believing that cultural expressions provide a wealth of intangible benefits that are crucial for a healthy and vibrant world, LEAF International aligns with the UN System Task Team for the post-2015 UN Development Agenda, who assert that cultural expression provides communities “with greater social inclusiveness and rootedness, resilience, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship for individuals and communities, and the use of local resources, skills, and knowledge.”

CULTURE KEEPER PERSPECTIVE Kesslon Wilson: Culture Keeper Kingstown, St Vincent & the Grenadines

It is indeed an exciting time for the LEAF Elite Steel Orchestra. We can barely contain our enthusiasm and exuberance and there has been improved, encouraging and resurgence in the interest shown at rehearsals. I am personally conveying deep and sincere thanks to LEAF for their most valuable interest and assistance not only in preserving our country’s culture but also in sharing the dream and vision of protecting and saving our youths from the clutches and wiles of negative pressures and keeping them focused on the positives of skill and self-esteem building.

LEAF, our gratitude is limitless and finally, our time seems to have come to make a more positive impact.

Thank you for partnering with us and sharing our dreams and visions and assisting us in meeting our mandate. We do look forward to a long-lasting and healthy lasting relationship.

8

theLEAF.org

ACCORDING TO 2019 SURVEYS

100% of youth enrolled in LEAF International are

learning their cultural traditions and report that their LEAF program is having a good impact on their life.

80% report they know more about their culture because of their LEAF International classes.

70% of these youth expressed that LEAF International

classes are their first opportunity to learn music and the arts.

85% feel like they have made a positive difference in their community

100% culture keepers feel like teaching their cultural traditions has changed their life

100% culture keepers feel like LEAF is a substantial source of employment

*Results do not include surveys from Panama, Bequia, or New Orleans

ď…Ş WATCH

LEAF International Highlights 2019 bit.ly/LEAFInternational2019 Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFGlobalArts

theLEAF.org

9

LIVING & LEARNING SERIES Learning Journeys // Partners In Education // Cultural Exchanges // Cultural Expeditions

Learning Journeys Program Overview: Since 2014, LEAF has been

hosting conversations for & by the local community and our Teaching Artist called “Learning Journeys” these discussions give our LEAF family an opportunity to connect, engage and get inspired to the work and efforts that improve our community and world around us! We invite YOU to share in the experience to learn and connect.

Email GlobalArts@theLEAF.org for more information on the next Learning Journey.

Kennedy Center Partners In Education Program Overview: In 2019, 17 Buncombe County

Schools teachers completed Phase 1 of our Kennedy Center Partners in Education program with Buncombe County Schools and were honored on stage at LEAF Downtown. Seven Buncombe County Schools teachers attended the Kennedy Center Arts Integration Conference in Arlington, VA in June.

“Today’s recognition ceremony touched me, being surrounded by the greater community with kids waiting behind us to go on stage.

I saw several of my students, and that helped me contextualize the experience as well. Thanks for guiding us through this process. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn with y’all!” ~Katharine Zamarra, re: being recognized at LEAF Downtown

The Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program facilitates educational partnerships between arts organizations around the nation and their local school systems. Representatives from these organizations work together to establish or expand professional learning programs in the arts for teachers. These events for teachers focus on either teaching about the arts, or teaching other subject areas through the arts. Through this partnership, LEAF has access to a plethora of educational resources, more visibility through the Kennedy Center branding, and a network of peers across the country with similar goals.

10

Email education@theLEAF.org or call 828.68.MUSIC [686-8742] for booking information.

theLEAF.org

Cultural Exchanges

Cultural Expeditions

Program Overview: Cultural exchanges are an

“I teach the kids to play the drums and what the drums symbolize. Haitian drums are special. Congo is the dance of joy; Banda is the dance of rhythm where you shake your body a lot. The drums & their rhythms are all the connection.”

integral part of what we do at LEAF Global Arts as we work to cultivate a stronger global community and connect cultures around the world. LEAF International cultural exchanges result in life-changing experiences, both for the participating LEAF International students as well as the larger LEAF community involved. During cultural exchanges, LEAF International culture keepers, teaching artists, and youth come to Asheville to share their traditional cultural art forms with local communities, creating global citizenship experiences. These exchanges happen in conjunction with the LEAF Festivals & LEAF Downtown (May, August, & October).

“We have a duty to share our culture, and LEAF helped us do that at the Festival.” ~Hesron Kija, LEAF International ONEmic Tanzania student

~Bwa Gris, LEAF International Haiti Culture Keeper

Cultivating Cultural Curiosity Be a part of a journey that will allow you to immerse yourself into the heart of LEAF & its mission. This opportunity will take you through cross-cultural experiences with several LEAF International programs including Guatemala, Haiti, Costa Rica & more. See how LEAF contributes to the vivacity of these traditions by supporting the preservation of cultures and cultural knowledge transfer to the next generations.

Your journey will be led by LEAF staff members, Culture Keepers & partners. These trips are familyfriendly, so bring your kids & their friends! Give them an opportunity to see the world as global citizens.

See the world with LEAF! Visit LEAF International programs in Guatemala, Haiti, Costa Rica and more.

For info on how to immerse, visit theLEAF.org/CulturalExpeditions.

theLEAF.org

11

GUIDING STATEMENT: LEAF Festival is an inter-generational celebration of world cultures that uses music, arts, and creativity to champion artistic expression, instill cultural competency, and build a diverse & welcoming community.

For 25 years, each May & October a global family of over 12,000 people join together upon the beautiful Lake Eden grounds to experience the power music, art and culture has to transform lives, strengthen community, and foster unity. With over 400 performing artists representing 12 different countries, 5 family adventure villages, 80+ craft & culinary vendors, 50+ healing arts, music & earth skills workshops, and a global community steeped in tradition... LEAF Festival gathers all walks of life to take part in an unforgettable cultural experience.

They say the creation of a thousand forests lies in a single acorn. One word, one choice, one gesture no matter how seemingly small has the power to transform this world for the better.

In May, for the 48th LEAF Festival, we scoured the globe to select artists who are innovators and architects of positive change through the strength & resilience of their creative expression.

Artists who defied all expectations, remaining true to their path allowing authenticity to guide them to ever higher heights of accomplishment & impact. Artists who value the power of nourishing deep roots in the community as much as reaching out for the stars.

Of all the forces in our universe, few things captivate more inspiration, awe, and wonder ‌ than the stars. No matter where we stand upon this beautiful Earth, up above is a celestial blanket beckoning our vision to higher possibilities. In October, for the 49th LEAF Festival, the artists selected transcend expectation, defy all convention, and capture the essence of what it means to embrace one’s fullest potential From the shores of Benin, to the mountains of Colorado, to the forests of Ireland, to the city streets of LA‌ over 15 nations united at Lake Eden to share a vision of who we are when we release all expectations, dive deep into our creative passions, and Reach for the Stars.

495,000+

103

16,000+

Patrons Served Since 1995

Countries Represented Since 1995

Total Performers Since 1995

ï…ª WATCH

LEAF Festival Highlights bit.ly/LEAFFestival2019 Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFGlobalArts

theLEAF.org

13

AVL

DOWNTOWN

City of Asheville Strategic Partner

LEAF DOWNTOWN celebrates communities, creativity, diversity, and families in the heart of downtown Asheville. LEAF Downtown furthers Asheville’s goals of access, community partnership & economic vitality while driving the greater LEAF Global Arts mission to connect cultures & create community through music & arts.

“

We performed at the LEAF Festival in Black Mountain 8 years ago and were floored by the intention and community action the organization carried back then. Now returning so many years later, looking at the enormous impact LEAF has on the city, whos coming out, and what you represent to so many is truly inspiring. We’re honored to play for such a forward-thinking organization during these critical times... ~ Speech Arrested Development

In August 2019, we celebrated our landmark 5th Annual LEAF Downtown AVL welcoming over 30,000 people into the heart of our beautiful city for a magnificent music, art, culture and community experience. Friday evening was headlined by Conscious Hip-Hop artists, activists, and innovators Arrested Development. Our Saturday night headliner brought one of the greatest Reggae music legends of our time to perform in front of record-setting crowds in Stephen Marley. Programming over two days included over 200 performers, 3 stages, 70 hand-selected artisan craft & food vendors, an Art Dash 5K race, dozens of Family Adventure experiences, and over 14 partner organizations in our Voices of Asheville Tent. No matter who you are or how you choose to live, love, and experience life, LEAF Downtown Celebrates YOU - championing diversity, equity, and inclusivity at the heart of our event.

”

14

theLEAF.org

ï…ª WATCH

LEAF Downtown AVL Highlights 2019 bit.ly/LEAFDowntown2019 Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFGlobalArts

theLEAF.org

15

Explore the World In downtown aShEvILLE

do i n e v n e i B Spanish

Murakaza Neza Bienve nue Kinyarwandan

Welcome to LEAF GLOBAL ARTS EXPERIENCE

CultIvatIng Cultural CurIosIty { Grand Opening was February 14, 2020 } Because of you, growth at LEAF has been pretty remarkable! Our new endeavor, LEAF Global Arts, sprouted from the desire to deepen our impact within our community. LEAF Global invites one and all to experience a world without borders where the creative expression of people and communities thousands of miles away are right at your fingertips. The experience also includes local traditions, featuring An area honoring Club Del Cardo, which holds a special place in the history of The Block. As globalization continues, understanding

16

French

Kuin Krubate Ne te Ngabe

other cultures and one’s place in our community & the world is increasingly critical to accessing our creativity to address current global issues and building bridges of understanding in our world. Imagine what our world would look like if everyone had access to the rich global diversity and positive cultural exchange? From music, to dance, to language arts, healing, and poetry, LEAF Global brings these cultural art workshops, classes, and experiences to an inspiring location that is affordable, educational, and inclusive.

Thank you to our Transformation Partner, Founding Partners, donors for bring this experience to life! You can still be a part of bringing LEAF Global to life by making an above-and-beyond gift to your annual contribution.

Naming and Partner opportunities are available!

Corporate supporters and donors will be recognized throughout the building via beautiful, artistic plaques.

More importantly, you’ll be creating magic in our world!

To learn more about being part of the magic, please contact us!

theLEAF.org

19 EAGLE STREET • AVL 28801 @ Historic Club Del Cardo

Experience these

ENGAGEMENT STATIONS Go Global Interactive World Map • Easel Rider Art Bar • Virtual Reality CAVE • Historic Del Cardo Local History & Music Trail • Sougou Artist Market in honor of Madiba • ONEmic Recording Studio • Instrument Petting Zoo • Sound Underground • Cultural Immersion Exhibits + Classes & Workshops Field Trips & Group Tours Venue Rentals

& so much more!

 Did you know?

LEAF is honored to be part of Eagle Market Place.

Treasured historically as the Club Del Cardo on The Block, this area thrived as the hub of African American owned business in Asheville. And... Women played an extraordinary role in the ownership and leadership of The Block. It is important to note that the Del Cardo space remains owned by an African American organization, Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation.

Do you remember the Historic Club Del Cardo?

Share your stories in the Del Cardo Local History experience curated by Elder Roy Harris aka “Lion of The Block”.

“Making meaningful connections across diverse cultures through the arts is at once the most simple concept and one of the most complex. Making those connections locally and internationally for multiple generations is the most noble (and, in my mind, most important) mission I have ever seen a group of people undertake. This literally is a path to world peace. Any normal group of people would find this mission too overwhelming. Too impossible. It is a good thing that this LEAF family of our is NOT normal - - not even close. We are the dreamers, the creatives, the makers, and the visionaries.

This is important work. This is our work.” ~Derek Allen, LEAF Board President

theLEAF.org

17

Thank You

MEMBERS, FUNDERS, AND DONORS

Your gift changes lives and opens pathways of understanding in our world!

TRANSFORMATION PARTNER

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority

FOUNDING PARTNERS

Bank of America | Ben Gradison Memorial Fund | Dan Lucas Memorial Fund | Echo Mountain Recording Studio | Putumayo | Sunnyside Trading Company | Togar Rugs

LEAF LOVE ENDOWMENT

Cameron & Courtney Maybin | Don & Alexandra Clayton | Dan Lucas Memorial Fund: Greg Lucas | Ben Gradison Memorial Fund: Bill & Carrie Gradison and Heather Gradison | Patrick “Pat” Ilderton in honor of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Daniel | John Michael Hale Memorial Fund | John Crossland III | Mark Fogas | Charles F. Gwinn | The Pickering Family | Steve “Dawgman” Moberg | Filivia Foundation | Hedy Fischer | Tommy & Debbie George In Memory of Mitzi George | Heather & David Abernathy | Derek & Elizabeth Allen | Patricia Anderson & Pamela Reid | Carol & Mark Antman | Anonymous | Ashkouti Family | Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria | Jen Beasley | Erica Bell | Barbara Benisch & Jacque Allen | Ivi Bilich & Jennifer Twiggs | Richard Blomgren | Dot Borden | Gary Broome | William “Bill Butcher & Misty Massiello | Faith Butterfield In Memory of Nicholas B. Pickell | Helme Calfee | Michael Compton | Ashley Cooper | Cleaster Cotton | Daly & Sawyer Construction | C.D. Daniel | Eddie & Kristan Dewey | Bob & Carol Deutsch | James H. Diaz Jr. | Christine DiBenedetto In Honor of Hennie & Xavier Callaway | Doug & Jennifer English | Bill Feste | James & Kate Fisher | Strivven Media LLC - Ilya & Kim Gorelik | Robin Gradison In Memory of Ben Gradison | River Guerguerian | Kerri Hampton | Kelly Hanson | Elbert Hargrave | Lucy Hazebrook & David Hill In Memory of Janie Pickering & Helen Schneller | Sid & Emily Heilbraun | Doc & Fran Hensley | Adrienne & Lin Holcomb | Betsy & David Hooper | Cliff Hotchkiss | Benjamin Jaffee & Jeanette Koehn | Ann & Horace Jennings in Honor of Betty Smith Jennings & Alice Sanders | Jill & Bill Jones In Memory of Everette Erwin Butler Jr. | Joe Karpen: The Karpen Family | Amy & Nader Kawar of Enter the Earth | Blaise & Cathy Kieler | Ken Kiser | Suzy Lawrence In Honor of Galen Starnes & Pete Spinnet | Meg Locke | Brad & Sarah Martin | Tracy Massiello-Brown | Jeff & Ashley Miller | George & Linda Milsaps | Holt & Jen Moore | Kate & Lindsay Nevin in Honor of Pomeroy! | Sarah Nie | Neely & Jim Neu In Memory of our Dear Friend Harlan Richardson | Doug & Darcy Orr In Memory of Janie Pickering |

18

Chase & Clary Pickering | Devon Pickering | John & Virginie Pomeroy in Memory of Jenny Pomeroy | Dosty & Alex “Q” Quarrier | Gail Richman | Pete Roe | Leila Ross | Cherry & Paul Saenger | Salvage Station | Sarver Realty Group, LLC | Kalyn Saylor | Sherafin Music | Randy Siegel | The Sinklers | Deborah Bryant in Honor of Eddie Smith | Bachman Smith | O.E. Starnes IV in honor of Chase & Clary Pickering | Joanne & Martin Swenson | The Marks-Nellie-Tidwell Family | Robert Todd & Wren London In Honor of Wilbur Lee Todd | Adrian Vassallo | Karen & Larry Vickers | Elly Wells Inc. | Jody Whitehurst & Anita DiNovo | Curtis & Nan Williams | Ford & Emily Willis | Mike & Lisa Zinsmeister.

& Andrew Baxter | Eric Heller | David Hill & Lucy Hazebrook | Farhad Javidi | David Jeckewicz | Jeffrey Johnson | John Johnson | Jill Jones | Bruce Kabat | Larry Larson | Joe Lurie | Pamela Meliski | George Millsaps | James “Jay” Moye | Landon Ortiz | Cindy & Pete Perez | Rodger Perry | Jennifer Pickering | Robert Pollack | Leila Ross | Ian Shewbridge | Denise Snyder | Jennifer Snyder | Anne Sterchi | Rachel Thelen | Karen Vickers | Sandy Welton | Richard Whitmire & Robin Gradison | Wicked Weed Brewing | David Wiley | Charles Williams | Jasmine and Thomas Williams | Robert Willis | David Winston | Marla Zafft | Michael Zinsmeister

GLOBAL CITIZENS

Elizabeth & Derek Allen | Sarah Avery | Gordon Brown | Allison Buckley | Faith Butterfield | Eddie Dewey | Nancy Duncan | Paul Farago | Jenni Ferguson | Jeremy Ferguson | Sarah Ford | Miller Graves | Michael Hale | Christopher Herndon | Vicente Hill | Michael Keen | Duncan Kennedy | Mark Krumbach | Thomas O. Lawton III |Ralph McLendon | Julie Modaff | Odyssey Community School | Stacey Patacsil | Christa Reiser | Kathy Runion | Susan Schneider | Bachman Smith IV | Dax Smith | Layne Smith | Rachel Thelen | Nancy & William Thompson | Peter van Rijssen | Roberta Wall | James Wyman

BENEFACTOR

Burial Beer Co. | Alexandra & Don Clayton | Tara & David DeHoll | GoPro | Helme Calfee | Bridget & Richard Eckerd | Mark Fogas | Kelly & Chris Hanson | Joe | Kellie | Piper & Kait Kiely | McGuire Samsel Fund | Pickering Family | Scheffer Family

VISIONARY

Chaddick Foundation |The Cantina @ Historic Biltmore Village | John Crosland III | Hanes Foundation | Ginny Hunneke | Cindy & Pete Perez

LUMINARY

Beattie Foundation | Faith Bishop-Rogers & Amory A. Rogers | Black Mountain – Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund | Misty Masiello & Bill Butcher | Michael Compton | Daly & Sawyer Construction | ESRI: Benny Ramseth & Paul Gallimore | Falcon Construction |GIRLology | Hedy Fischer | Charles Gwinn | MahJong | Modular Building Systems International | Peace | Love & Happiness | Chase & Clary Pickering | Marianne Redmond & Justice Rogers | Sarah Belk Gambrell Foundation | Randy Siegal | Strivven Media LLC | Stuart & Cheryl Zeilender | Bill Taylor | Tobin Family Foundation | John Trimble | Stuart & Cheryl Zeilender

CULTURAL AMBASSADOR

Brandon Ashkouti | Louise Bedichek | Barbara & Jacque Benisch-Allen | Ivica Bilich | Brooke & Paul Budde | Jeff Burningham | Cristal Fox | The Grey Eagle | Ellen & Barry Halperin | Jay Lurie | Deborah Margaritov | Annmarie McConnell | Pete Roe | Robert Siegel | Gregg Swentor

PATRON

Marla & Joel Adams | Jennifer Beasley | James Bird | Don Boekelheide | Eric Bost | Alice Dawson | Bob & Carol Deutsch | Jane Girskis | Susan Grover

FAMILY

Rodney Apple | Chris Arne | Jessica Auge | Joey Barbarito | Amber Baseman | Erica Bell | Lee Bentley | Steve Berk | Rebecca Bernstein | Juliet Blankespoor | Fred Blythe | Susan Bogardus | Leah Broker | Gary Broome | Larry Carlton | Ric Cedergren | Devin Chapman | Jessica Chilton | Joel Chisholm | Civil Environmental Consultants | Randolph Collins | Katie Cornell | Sarah Darrohn | Dan Daugherty | Mary Ellen Davis | Robert Dickerson | Erin Dickinson | Brenda Durant | Kathryn Durham | Robert Eckstein | Lynn English | William Farmer | Deborah Fleming | Rainey Fox | Craig & Sky Fraker | Dana Frankel | Marissa Friedman | Thomas Gambrell | Jason Garrett | Roy Garris | Lee Gillespy | Louise Glickman | Patti Goldstein | Carole Ann Greene | Sherry Griffith | Kelly Hanson | Jessie Harris | Lyndon Harris | Marilyn Hasty | Cindy & Aaron Hill | Kurt Hill | Adrienne Holcomb | Eric Howard | Andy Huggins | Elizabeth Hunter | Kristin Johnson | Melissa Juniper | Si Kahn | Anne Kennedy | Catherine & Blaise Kielar | Heather Kipka | Robert Kistenberg | Thomas Kolaski | Jennifer Kulick | Marcy Lanier | Emily Lawrence | Megan Lemmond | Betsy Levitas | Bobbi Livnat | Louise Loveland | Daniel Luckinbill | Tammy Martin | Steven Marx | Robert

theLEAF.org

McHugh | Crystal Menick | Jennifer & Holt Moore | Marc Morrison | Deserae Mowery | Stefan Murphy | Bethany Nelson | Katharine Nevin | Brad Olschansky | Denise & Chris Pastina | Rebecca Patch | Rachel Perry | Joshua Phillips | Laura Pierz | Katherine Pittenger | Rainee Plancer | Bob Prim | Tracey Pullan Novak | Esther Quinn | Marianne Redmond | Jonathan Reily | Bradford Reynolds | Robin Rhea | Julie Richard | Gail Richman | Polly Richmond | Jordan & Bradley Robbins | Tracy Roberts | Kathy Saunders | Susan Schneider | Todd Shriver | Billy Jack Sinkovic | Jill Sparks | Tom Starnes | Sloane Steedley | Michael Stephens | Robin Stickney | Nathan Stone | Hope Sutton | Matthew Tollison | Shanti Volpe | Jennifer Waite | Jennifer Weisent | James Wilson | Wiley Wimberly | Marcia Wofford | Lisa Wood | Brett Woodson

INDIVIDUAL

Charles Adair | Ben Adams | John Adams | Randall Adcock | Katherine Aiello | Lisa Almaraz | Elissa Anderson | Brandon Ashkouti | Beth Babin | Patricia Baehr | John R. Barnwell | Carolyn Barrett | Shane Bartlett | Patty Baughman | Brandi Bedrosian | Ralph Bergstedt | Kathy Berlin | Lisa Berry | Joanna Best | Lisa Bishop | Linden Blaisus | Kathy Blossfield | Marion Boone | Patricia Borden | Julie Bostic | Adam Bowers | Andy Brokmeyer | Shari Brothers | Jarod Brown | Lauren Brown | Maria Brown | Meaghan Brundage | Jennifer Bruno | Chris Bubenik | Harriette Bugel | Melonie H Burgess | Emlin Burke | Jennie Burleson | Eve Burton | Jan Busby | Lee Caffery | Louis Calderon | Scott Cameron | Sonya Camp | Kimberly Campbell | Victoria Canipe | Heather Cannon | Stacy Carr | Traci Carroll | Ernesta Carter | Dan Casciato | Mary C. Casto | Tonya Chapman | Hilary Chiz | Sarah Chrupka | Melissa Clark | Walker Cobb | Julie Cochrane | Andrew Cohen | Michael Condran | Tommy Conlon | Jeanette Conrad | Kristin Cooper-Gulak | Kasiah Cooper | Kate Counts | Diette Crockett | Missy Culver | Laurie Cuozzo | Shelaine Curd | Karin Cysb | Ryan D’angelo | Shawn Dandrea | Annemarie Dargan | Emily Davidson | Derek Davis | Peggy Davis | Elizabeth Day | Paul Dehaver | Renee Denton | Claire DGaia | Linda Dhunjishah | Samantha Dilworth | Jim Dimitroff | Colin H Diresta |

Elizabeth Dixon | Susan DuBois | Robert Dummitt | Dixie Dunbar | Emily Easterling | Matthew Edwards | Edward Ellington | Gene & Angela Ellison | Denise Elmore | Steve Eury | Paul Farley | William Feste | Anthony Figuera | Kelly Fitzgerald | Linda Flynn | Bliss Fordham-Theiss | Elizabeth Foster | Amanda Fox-Duncan | Deborah Francis | Amanda Franklin | Susannah Furr | William Paul Gallimore | Suzanne Gambino | Concetta Gerson | Michael Gerson | Michael Gillespie | Crystal Gilreath | Anna Glander | Ruth Gordeuk | William Gordon | Russell Gottschalk | Heather Gradison | David Gray | Benjamin Guiney Jr | Jack Gurrad | Mark Hagerty | Patrick Haider | Tim Haider | Jonathan Halas | Doug Hale | Stephanie Hallmark | Sam Hansen | Dale Harmon | Jon D Harvill II | S. Hawthorne | Olive B Hayes | Starr Hazard | Brooks Anne Hazelton | Evar & Rebecca Hecht | Renee Heindel | Christie Heuermann | Patricia Hickling Beckman | Ralph Hill | Robert Himmelman | Nikki Hinske | Karl Hinterkopf | Taryn Hofert | Micah Honeycutt | Richard House | Marjorie Howiler | Bryan Humphrey | Erik Ingvarson | Larry Irwin | Christopher Isla | Thomas Israel | Rebecca Jennings | Sherri Jessee | Stanley Johns | Richard Johnson | Ronald Johnson | David Joseph | Ivan Juzang III | Virginie Kanner | Jennifer Karch | Michael Keck | Suzanne Kelmartin | Damian Kessler | Dave Kinnear | Mary Knowles | Ginger Knussmann | Richard Koerber | Lena Krug | Linda Krusen | Deanne Lambillotte | Coalter Lathrop | Douglas Law | Joyce Law | Amanda Lewis | Michael Lewis | Benjamin Lieb | Ray Lingle | Madison Link | Shane Lippard | Jeromy Lively | Megan Lobe | Karin & Sig Lonegren | Elana Lopez | David Low | Steve Madden | Dale Mann | Walter Markiewicz | Jason Marks | Brian Marshall | Jennifer Martin | Valerie Martin | Brad Massie | Mark Matasic | Susan Mathis | Maariah McAndrew & Meg Anderson | Jessica McBride | Agnieszka McCort | Marsha McDonald | Chad McKinney | Thomas McKinnon | Edith McPolin | Sharon Meeker | Alan Meyer | Ashley Miller | Scott Mills | Sara Mindel | Laura Minerd | Paul Mitchem | Stephen Dunn Moody | Stan Morris | Terri Morris | Sophia Mosby | Laura Moses | Calvin Mullen | Sean Murphy | Emily Muscarella | David Nedved | Brian Neill | Michele Nester | Harriett Nettles | Bradley Newsom | Patricia Niemas | Ryan

Osborne | Georgina Padilla | Christopher Paradise | Michael Patterson | Elizabeth Peel | Lindsay Peral | Mary Perreault | Michael Peterson | Danny Pickett | Kelley Pierce | Alison Polly | Edwin Porter | Ronald Poythress | Dianne Prohn | Pamela Pyles | Koko Radford | Fred Ramos | Benjamin Ramseth | Melissa Reardon | Steve Recchia | Emily Redfield | Lisa Reiter-Lavery | Sara Rethinger | Bradford Reynolds | Laurie Richter | Eric Robbins | Jeff Robertson | Lauren Roth | Deborah Rowan | Carter Rowson | Nina Ruberti | Nicola S Frazee | Gabrielle Sanchez | Elizabeth Santin | Jonathan Sarver | Elizabeth Sauls | Erik Savage | Jodi Schwab | Satsuki Scoville | Stephen Seay | Erin Sebelius | Danielle Seligmann | Nina Shaluly | Katie Shaw | Kevin Shea | Tiffany Shobe | Brandi Shytle | Oscar Sierra | Ricky Sill | Aveesh Singh | Jesse Smith | Todd Smith | Patricia Smythe | Harold Southern | Kyle Sox | Syd Speer | Sarah Speir | Jason Sperati | Monroe Spivey | Hans Stader | John Stallings | Nicole Stallings | John Starino | Bradley Stein | Robert Stepno | Erin Stevens | Sasha Stipanovich | April Stolarz | JoAnn Strack | Patricia Strang | Eric Stricklin | David Stuart | Randolph Sullivan | Micah Swabb | Rhian Swain | Adam Swanson | Howard Sweet | Nicholas Szuberla | Hailey Tanner | Lee Taylor | Lovell (Clark) Taylor | Krisztina Teglassy | Bridgett Thomas | Nicola Thornley | Gray Tiller | Pete Titus | Ed Tomczak | Karen Tressler | D’Arcy Truluck | Steven Turner | Amy Tyson | Taylor Vallandingham | Chris Van Atta | Janice & Rober Van Dine | Marsha van Rijssen | Hendrik van Vuuren | Jenny Vial | James Wallman | Abigail Walsh | Holly Waltemyer | Brandy Ware | Joan Wattman | Jack Webb | John Welch | Tilden White | Julia Whitney | Jonathan Whittington | Miranda Wildman | Adam Wilensky | Janina Williams | Leland Williams | Sarah Winter | Paul L Witty | Jessica Woolwine | Sarah Wright | Valerie Wright | Fay Yee | Mary Anne Yunker | Morgan Ziegler

LEAF Membership is a global community of donors who believe in harnessing the power of cultural arts as a lens for cultivating cultural curiosity and bringing greater harmony to our world. Thank you for providing cultural arts learning experiences for youth locally & globally! 100% of LEAF Membership supports LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International.

theLEAF.org

19

Thank You

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EMERITUS & VOLUNTEERS

Year after year, we are amazed by the dedication and spirit of our Board of Directors, Board Emeritus and outstanding Volunteers.

You enable us to create magic and touch more lives.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019 Derek Allen | Board President Civic-Minded Zoning, Land Use Planning Attorney Deborah Bryant | Board Chair Youth Development, Family Services Pete Roe | Treasurer Business, Finance Advisor Jen Beasley | Secretary + Archivist Community Outreach, Logistics Neely Neu | Whip Real Estate Joanne Badr-Morgan Attorney, History, Cultural & Community Leadership Gary Broome Marketing, Design Jim Diaz Entrepreneur, Strategic Planning Naima Di International Business, Community Development Christine DiBenedetto Entrepreneur, Community Action Bill Feste Public School Educator, Instructional Technologist, Prankster

Vanessa Guerrero UNCA Juntos Coordinator Kerri Hampton Educator, Non-Profit Planning Dr. “Big E” Eric Howard Educational Policies, Social Work, Photography Anthony Thomas Green Opportunities Employment Manager Ford Willis Business Operations, Longtime LEAFer Steve Wilmans Entrepreneur, Music & Recording Business, Preservation Mike Zinsmeister Global Marketing, Strategic Organizational Development BOARD EMERITUS COUNCIL A Treasured Circle of Support who fueled LEAF’s work & vision and continue to help guide LEAF forward. Board Emeritus served full Board terms or helped start the organization: Carol Antman • Ivi Bilich • Cleaster Cotton • Tracy Massiello Brown • James Fisher • Tommy George • River Guerguerian Kelly Hanson • Elbert Hargrave • Cliff Hotchkiss • Jill Jones Jim Magill • Holt Moore • Sarah Nie • Doug Orr • Reggie Tidwell Robert Todd • Jody Whitehurst

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS 2019

Michael Albanes | Gina Alberti | Bita Ansari | Juliana Austin | David Avigdor | Tom Bailey | Lindsay Barta | Gregory Bear | Hayne Beattie Gray | Jen Beasley | Dan Beckwith | Joe Bluemling | Chris Bogardus | Susan Bogardus | Benjamin Bogardus | Brian Boles | Jessica Bowers | Derek Brown | Chris Bubenik | Christopher Burlingham | William Butcher | Nancy Byrne | Bob Carpenter | Lynn Carr | Josh Carroll | James Cassara | Marco Cid | Joseph Cobb | Julie Cochrane | Michael Conroy | Deidra Cox | Tony Cruz | Lorax Debuyser | Victoria Delgado | Emily Demikat | Jim Diaz | Jeff Dickens | Lori Diehl |Michael Doll | Lauren Doll | Allison Drosin | Skye Dunning | James Dunton | Natalie Epstein | Tashia Ethridge | William Feste | Sandy Feutz | Anthony Figuera | Alicia Finley | Noelle Fisher | Jeffrey Fishman | Bob Flinders | Kelly Flynn | Deborah Francis | Danaysia Franks | Jennifer Frey | Chris Fryar | Kelly Gilmore | Joanna Giordano | Amy Glassman | Jim Glaze | Lauren Golden | Aaron Groesser | Amanda Groesser | Gina Hamilton | Rachel Hansbury | Joshua Harbin | Martha Hartmann |Pat Henke | Sprout Hepker | Erik Hermanns | John Hipp | John Holladay | Matthew Hollingsworth | Jerry Holton | Jim Hopkins | Kyra Houghton | Ellen Howard | Frances Hutchens | Thomas Lawton III | Lori Jarzen | Farhad Javidi | Rebecca Jefferies | Marcus Johnson | Aaron Johnstone | Cody Jones | Lea Jones | Perrin Jong | Margo Klein | Adam Knapp | Lindsey Koerber | Evy Kollstrand | Sandy Konkel | Dana Kreykes | Jason Kreykes | Lucille Lamberto | Tim Laurence | Cy Lawing | Larry Layton | Sandra Layton | Gemyla Lester | Chayla Lester | Allen Lewis | Stefanie Lucas | Duncan Lyon | Malcolm Lyon | Ruth MacNair | Misty Masiello | Karmen Massey | Melissa McKinney | Kara Menck | Peter Mitchell | Melannie Montenegro | Christy Montoya | Zak Montoya | Katherine Neubauer | Amoena Norcross | Logan Ochsner | John Orton | Zander Parry | Jeff Paul | Emily Pearl | Benjamin Peverall | Greg Phillips | Marshall Platt | Carrie Plaxco | Marianna Popp | Dan Potter | Pamela Pyles | Grant Rehder | Brian Repass | Rebecca Rice | Faith Rigsby | Frank Roberts | Peter Roe | Lena Romaldini | Didier Rubio | Diane Saccone | Riad Saidi | Susanna Saidi | Christine Sargeant | David Saulsbury | Jeff Schertz | Michael Schneider | Brady Schroeder | Kaeta Seimer | Erica Shelton | Greg Shelton | Julia Sickler | Anita Slavkoff | Kristina Smith | Stephen Smith | Jesse Smith | Natalie Spainhour | Jonathan Spencer | Tom Starnes | Jill Steere | Jonette Sundberg | Helaine Suskin | Sophie Swan | Rose Szabo | Scott Talbert | Charles Tanner | Julie Tatol | Spencer Thomas | Taylor Townsend | Landon Tucker | Donald Tuter | Karen Vickers | Kim Walker | Nicole Wall | Mikayla Wallace | Carl Wallander | Cassandra Wells | Savannah Wheeler | Christina Whiteman | Matthew Young | Sarah Zahner | Katharine Zamarra | Joe Zinich

20

theLEAF.org

LEAF LOVE & GRATITUDE TO OUR 2019 PARTNERS & SPONSORS

AC Hotels Appalachian Realty AVLToday Blue Ridge Public Radio Bob’s Red Mill Bonefish Grill Buchi Kombucha Capital At Play Carolina Mountain Dental Citizen’s Fuel & Dunkin’ Donuts

Devil's Foot Dewees Island POA Dig Local Dynamite Enter the Earth French Broad Food Co-op Hampton Inn Black Mountain Harmony Motors Hola Carolina HomeTrust Bank

iHeart Radio Mother Earth Foods Nertworks Red Wolf Contracting Roots & Fruits Market Tito’s Handmade Vodka 98.1 The River WNC Magazine WNCW

“I love working with events that first look at each partners strengths and opportunities and create an organic partnership from that. LEAF and Klean Kanteen started a partnership based on this foundation and continue to build the partnership up by exploring. From getting our tents saved from the winds of Fall 2018 to the praise I regularly get from staff about our unique event kanteens, we are more than welcomed we are loved. Every LEAFer, staff or attendee, appreciates in such an unconditional way. I think the best way to sum up LEAFs partnerships is with an answer I commonly get from a question I ask at every event. "Who are you most excited to see here?" Typically at other festivals I get a certain band. At LEAF the answer is always about the people they get to see off stage. That is unique, that is special, and that is LEAF through and through.” ~Ethan Holbrook, Klean Kanteen

LEAF Global Arts has cultivated successful and enduring partnerships with businesses, foundations and institutions across Western North Carolina and the region. Sponsors and grants help LEAF bring quality cultural arts education to thousands of youth both in Buncombe County and in countries around the world.

For more information, please contact: LEAF Sponsor Engagement, Amanda Vollrath at development@theLEAF.org

LEAF 2020 VISION

Transforming Lives, Connecting Cultures and Generating Unity.

LEAF is looking towards 2020 and the legacy we want to be generating in the communities we serve. We see ourselves using music, art and festivals to create welcoming places and spaces of possibility that foster shared experiences powerful enough to transform lives, connect cultures and generate unity.

much lEaF love & Gratitude for your support!

MAKE A GIFT Contact our Development Team at 828.68.MUSIC

LEARN MORE About our Community, Mission, and Work @ theLEAF.org LEAF Global Arts is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.

VISIT LEAF 19 Eagle Street, Suite 120 Asheville, NC 28801