COMMUNITY ARTS A nonprofit organization, building community, connecting cultures and enriching lives through the arts – locally & globally – with festivals, community events and arts education programs.
2018
annual gratitude report
theLEAF.org
All year, LEAF shows up in a vast array of spaces and places for multi-generational audiences and participants. At the core of our service is our youth who have so much talent and curiosity, yet often do not have access to arts - especially traditions connecting them to other cultures or their own.
LEAF Festivals are often underestimated for the
Board Emeritus, Elbert Hargrave & Executive Director, Jennifer Pickering
Hello LEAF Family & friends, Thank YOU for being part of creating LEAF! Reflecting upon 2018, the LEAF crew, artists, youth and families were TRAILBLAZING. The year kicked off with cultural exchanges at LEAF International Guatemala and exploring the power of arts in El Salvador. Then in early spring, we received a transformative award: LEAF and Buncombe County Schools together were one of just 7 U.S. groups selected as a John F. Kennedy Center Partners In Education team. This new partnership has elevated LEAF Schools & Streets work, our local teachers and schools, and opens so many doors in our dedication to empowering our youth with Global Arts Education. This was a year of dreaming into the future, and at the end of fall we were grateful to be “Bringing it Home”. Driving our focus was the question: “What does LEAF need to elevate and expand our impact and mission and become more sustainable”? The answer was “A home!”. As we approach LEAF’s 25th Year in 2020, we focused on finding a future place to daily create LEAF experiences that complement our collaborative work with partners, schools and centers both in our local community and in 10 countries internationally. The LEAF Navigator Staff and Board worked together beyond our dedicated roles to find that special PLACE and apply to an extensive grant from Asheville’s TPDF (Tourism Product Development Fund). After 3 rounds of applications, LEAF was awarded a matching grant of $704,000 to create a LEAF Global Arts Center in Downtown Asheville at the Historic Club Del Cardo owned and developed by Mountain Housing Opportunities and Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation. Please explore with us how you would like to support bringing LEAF Global Arts to life!
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extraordinary life changing experiences, learning, and rare cultural connections that take root. A few magic moments for me included watching Supaman of The Crow Nation create music with youth aspiring to be DJs and the LEAF International Haiti ambassadors. I participated in our 1st Female Trailblazer Forum to a packed Eden Hall alongside one of my mentors Manze of Haiti, longtime LEAFer Leah Song of Rising Appalachia and activist Ani DeFranco. This powerful conversation led to Ani and Rising Appalachia becoming friends and recording together in their paths of influencing their dedicated fans. Across the world in Africa, the young and talented LEAF International students in Rwanda JR Troupe were invited to their 1st performance to an audience over 15,000! Longtime LEAF supporter, Greg Lucas of Dan Lucas Foundation and Preservation Hall helped make this possible by connecting LEAF and Global Livingston Institute. These young “artists” alongside their teacher and newly promoted Culture Keeper David Kwizera embraced the cheering crowd and their newly discovered talents and confidence. With your support, we are able to create these magical moments and opportunities that are life changing! LEAF said goodbye in 2018 to several longtime LEAFers who passed too early. Three that were each part of LEAF for over 10 years, and through their love and caring made LEAF and life a better experience for so many: C.D. Daniel who so gracefully led Lakeside Stage Hospitality and was a Board Member leading big leaps of exploring equity, Chris Orr was the sacred Firekeeper up on the mountain, and Dancin’ Dave created space for people to camp in style while he danced till the very last dance. The preciousness of this life journey and the people who walk along these various paths with us are treasured and valued at LEAF. Thank YOU for walking with us. LEAF Love & Gratitude, Jennifer Pickering, LEAF Executive Director
theLEAF.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS Forward ............................................................................. 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 ............................................................. 15
LEAF International ............................................................ 8
Supporters
Kennedy Center Partnership ........................................ 10
Members, Funders, & Donors ........................................ 16
Learning Journeys ......................................................... 10
Board of Directors .......................................................... 18
Cultural Exchange ........................................................... 11
Volunteers ........................................................................ 18
Cultural Expedition ......................................................... 11
Sponsors & Partners ....................................................... 19
"The shortest distance between two people is a STORY, a SONG or a DANCE." ~ Masankho Banda, LEAF Ambassador
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Revenues
A GLANCE AT 2018 FINANCIALS
REVENUE 2%
$2,356,010
0%
14%
Donations & Contributions Event Revenues
68%
Program Fees
16%
Other Sponsorships
Expenses EXPENSES 29%
General Expenses Fundraising Expenses
60%
Global Hub Expenses 3%
LEAF Schools & Streets
7% 1% 0%
LEAF International LEAF Events
LEAF Community Arts is grateful to have achieved a Bronze 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 2018 are available upon request at engagement@theLEAF.org.
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theLEAF.org
WHAT IS THE NEED IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE? Exposure to the arts for just two hours every week can improve mental health and overall well-being. ~ University of Western Australia study
In 2015, 29 percent of overseas visitors went to an art gallery or museum, while 16 percent attended a concert, play or musical during their visit, per the International Trade Commission in the Department of Commerce. Arts destinations help grow the economy by attracting foreign visitor spending—effectively making the arts an export industry. ~Americans for the Arts Involvement in the arts is associated with academic achievement in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, creative thinking and verbal skills. Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. Studies show that students with a high engagement in the arts are less likely to drop out of school. ~!!! OUR IMPACT IN 2018 LEAF SCHOOLS & STREETS 6,100+ youth served 8,400+ youth participating in Easel Rider activities 570 youth performers 200+ Easel Rider events 700+ Resident Teaching Artist classes 65 unique cultural arts programs 26 Visiting Teaching Artist Residencies 18 Schools 16 Community Centers 23 Easel Rider and Resident Teaching Artists 77,400+ youth served since 2004! LEAF INTERNATIONAL 750+ youth participants weekly 10 countries 11 programs 4 ONEmic Studios 51 Cultural Exchanges 18 Culture Keepers & Teaching Artists 4 Schools 7 Community Centers 1 Orphanage 3250+ youth served since 2006!
theLEAF.org
LEAF FESTIVAL 22 Countries Represented 855 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 17 Visiting Teaching Artist Residencies {Supaman, Ganga Giri, Kinobe, Irish Mythen, Sally & George, The Change, Masankho Banda, LEAF International Haiti, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Digging Roots, Kaia Kater, Doctor Nativo, Richard & Gordon, Darrell Rose, Nex Millen, Edwin Salas, LEAF International Costa Rica & Mexico} LEAF DOWNTOWN AVL 25,000+ attendance 35+ Performances 200+ Performers 12+ Partner Orgs in Voices of Asheville 80 Handcraft & Culinary Vendors
474,000+ patrons attended & 97 different countries represented since 1995!
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95%
of youth participants reported feeling more valued by the community
84%
youth reported new expressions of creativity
91%
parents reported that their child had higher
“Music helps in all aspects of learning. Arts speak to some who can’t relate to the world in any other way.” ~Mother of a program participant who has a learning disability, sharing that she has seen an increase in his self-esteem, and a new sense of belonging within the music community.
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. The arts provide a way for children to connect with cultures in a hands-on way. Music transcends geographical, cultural and linguistic boundaries to bring people together in cross-cultural understanding, creating an environment for openness, inclusivity and the opportunity for diverse voices to be heard in collaboration.
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theLEAF.org
ď…Ş WATCH
LEAF Schools & Streets Highlights 2018 bit.ly/schoolsandstreets2018 Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFCommunityArts377
ďƒŤ Did you know?
Students who participate in community-based arts programs like LEAF Schools & Streets have a stronger self-understanding 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.
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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 Claude Nyandwi, LI Rwanda Teaching Artist How has support from LEAF changed your life or community?
The support from LEAF has helped me to meet a lot of people and create space in the community for change through music. The support is helping me take care of kids in the village and the kids feel happy to know that there are people at LEAF (in America) that give them the chance to drum & dance. What does having music in your life mean to you?
Having music means so many things to me. Music helps me forget I don’t have food or money. Music makes me forget that I’m hungry so I guess that is the way it’s saving me. When I have music it’s the only thing I think about in that moment. The life here is so hard that it’s good to have music to keep my mind free & open. Why is your drum/music culture important?
Drumming taught me everything I know about my culture. Drumming is very important in Rwandan culture, but it is also the way many men step into their natural talents. I have been drumming for more than 15 years and it has taken me all over the world, but the most important is that it has given me a community. 8
theLEAF.org
ï…ª WATCH
LEAF International Highlights 2018 bit.ly/LEAFInternational2018 Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFCommunityArts377
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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.
Kennedy Center Partners In Education Program Overview: In 2018, LEAF Community Arts and
Buncombe County Schools had the honor of becoming a part of the Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program, furthering our ability to connect cultures through music & arts. 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. Beginning with a cohort of 30 teachers across Buncombe County representing each grade level and a diverse array of subject areas, we plan to increase our reach each year by diving in with a new cohort of Buncombe County teachers. Email outreach@theLEAF.org or call 828.68.MUSIC [686-8742] for booking information.
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theLEAF.org
Cultural Exchanges
Cultural Expeditions
Program Overview: Cultural exchanges are an
“I saw people listening to each other and I saw people being heard. So much love, care, and kindness were being exchanged. I experienced love, family, cohesiveness, attention to detail, and attention to what really matters in the world.”
integral part of what we do at LEAF Community 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).
“It’s really cool for them to come all the way from Haiti – I don’t know if they know how impactful it is for us as students. It’s so cool!” ~Madi Beddingfield, TC Roberson High
~ Cleaster Cotton, LEAF Teaching Artist & Expeditioner
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.
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GUIDING STATEMENT: LEAF Festival is an inter-generational celebration of world culture 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. In May 2018, we explored the human spirit and what it takes to become a TRAILBLAZER. Emboldening our community with the reminder that each of us has the power to forge our own destiny. To dig deep, take hold of our inner fire, and courageously set out on a path never before travelled. For the 46th LEAF Festival, each artist selected took up the torch of this great call. They were visionaries, trailblazers, musical pioneers… guiding listeners on a journey of unveiling our true human potential one note at a time. In October 2018, we explored the meaning of “Home”. Of all the places we plant our roots, few things bring us HOME in our hearts like music. The strum of a guitar, the beat of a drum, the echoing chorus of a favorite song… Music holds a way of guiding us to a place of inner peace, joy, and sanctuary unlike anything in this world. For the 47th LEAF, we welcomed artists from nations who find their homes in great peril, yet despite all odds continue to share their music, message, and medicine with us all. The Fall 2018 Festival brought three generations of families hailing from the four corners of the Globe to gather and celebrate the power of music & arts to “Bring Us Home” as ONE Family once again.
474,000
99
15,460
Patrons Served Since 1995
Countries Represented Since 1995
Total Performers Since 1995
ï…ª WATCH
Rising Appalachia LEAF, The Festival That Raised Us bit.ly/LEAFFestival2018 Or find us on YouTube: @youtube/LEAFCommunityArts377
theLEAF.org
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AVL
DOWNTOWN
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 Community Arts mission to connect cultures & create community through music & arts.
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Maceo is approaching the twilight of his career… A career that has spanned over 50 years collaborating with giants and touring countries all over the world. And seldom have we ever felt so at home, so loved and appreciated then we have here at LEAF Downtown. Bravo for hosting a truly world class event for a wonderful cause… And for having Maceo Parker share his funk music at the heart of it.
In August 2018, the 4th annual LEAF Downtown AVL asked our community to dive deep into the realms of funk & soul with the legendary Maceo Parker and break out their superfly dance moves to hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash. Over 25,000 community members experienced world-class music, art & cultural immersion featuring over 200 performers on 3 stages, 70 hand-selected artisan craft & food vendors, non-stop family adventure programming, and our Voices of Asheville cultural epicenter. No matter who you are, where you are from, and what lights your fire LEAF Downtown celebrates YOU - Championing diversity, equity, and inclusivity at the heart of this event.
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~ Natasha Parker Tour Manager for Maceo Parker 30+ Years
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City of Asheville Strategic Partner
theLEAF.org
Introducing the... LEAF GLOBAL ARTS EXPERIENCE { Opening in 2020 }
Because of you, growth at LEAF has been pretty remarkable. Each day, we consider how we can be more effective and efficient with both your donations and our time so that we can change more lives across the spectrum of those we serve. Our new endeavor, LEAF Global Arts, sprouted from the desire to deepen out 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. As globalization continues, understanding other cultures and one’s place in the world is increasingly critical to accessing future opportunities and crafting greater harmony. Imagine what our world would look like where everyone had access to the rich global diversity and positive cultural exchange? From music, to dance, to language arts, healing and poetry, LEAF Global Arts will bring these cultural art experiences to an inspiring location that is affordable, educational, and inclusive. You can be a part of bringing LEAF Global Arts to life by making an above-and-beyond gift to your annual contribution. Naming and Founding 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!
Right: Architectural artists’ rendering share the vision for LEAF Global Arts
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Thank You
MEMBERS, FUNDERS, AND DONORS
Your gift changes lives and opens pathways of understanding in our world! VISIONARY
Asheville Yoga Festival | Helme Calfee | The Cantina | Alexandra & Don Clayton | John Crosland | Daly & Sawyer Construction | Eddie Dewey | Henry Flanders | Mark Fogas | Virginia Hunneke | Joe & Kellie Kiely | Cam Maybin | Dini & Chuck Pickering | Pink Dog Creative | Kristina Trainque | Adrian Vassallo
LUMINARY
Derek Allen | Brandon Ashkouti | Faith BishopRogers | Misty Masiello & Bill Butcher | Michael Compton | Mark Fogas | Charles Gwinn | Michael Hammonds | The Masiello Real Estate Group | George Millsaps | Landon Ortiz | Peace-LoveHappiness | Kim McGuire & James Samsel | Alex Quarrier | Lisa & Michael Zinsmeister
CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Pamela Allen Meliski | Barbara & Jacque BenischAllen | The Biltmore Estate | John “Ivi” Bilich | Ada Lee Birnie | Brooke Budde | Cristal Fox | Barry Halperin | Cathy & Blaise Klelar | Laurel & Senter Equipment Co. | Luellas BBQ | Sarah Oram | Jennifer Pickering | Chase & Clary Pickering | Virginia & John Pomeroy | Jonathan Sarver | Gregg Swentor | Robert “Jody” Whitehurst | Marsha Wolland
PATRON
Advantage Civil Engineering, PA | Ian Banks | Andrew Baxter & Susan Grover | Jennifer Beasley | James Bird | Don Boekelheide | Dot Borden | Eric Bost| Bahram Dahi | Alice Dawson | Bob Deutsch | Jennifer English | Jane Girskis | Amanda Hale | Jennifer Heller | Sherry Huber | David Jeckewicz | Jill Jones | Bruce Kabat | Alston Kirk | Bruce M Koloseike | Wren London | Tracy Masiello | Dennis Patenotte | Pete Perez | Rodger Perry | Therese Piazza | Robert Pollack | Pete Roe | Leila Ross | J B Smith | Denise Snyder | Gregg Swentor | Karen Vickers | David Wiley | Charles Williams | Jasmine and Thomas Williams | David Winston | Marla Zafft
BENEFACTOR
Sarah Avery | Jamie Berk | David Billstrom | Rich Blundell | Amber Bockman | Don Boekelheide | Steve Breckenridge | Gordon Brown | Bradford Burgess | Faith Butterfield | Salvatore Clarizio | Alice Dawson | Eddie Dewey | James Diaz | Nancy Duncan | Paul Farago | Jenni Ferguson | Jeremy Ferguson | Sarah Ford | Heather Gradison | Elbert Hargrave | Vicente Hill | Jay Howard | Farhad Javidi | Bruce Kabat | Michael Keen | Duncan Kennedy | Meredith Love | Julie Modaff | Kenneth Moran | Max Nemeth | Sarah Nie | Landon Ortiz
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Jennifer Pickering | Christy Ramm | Jonathan Reily | Leila Ross | Kathy Runion | Susan Schneider | Sarah Schuelke | Don Silver | Dax Smith | Layne Smith | Bachman Smith IV | Jennifer Snyder | Martin & Joanne Swenson | Rachel Thelen | Gray Tiller | Deiah Vambe | Peter & Marsha van Rijssen | Crystal Van Velkinburgh | Kathleen Wagner | Emily & Ford Willis | James Wyman | Allan Zacher
FAMILY
Rodney Apple | Catherine Arne | Eric Asch | Jessica Auge | Joey Barbarito | Gene Bell | Lee Bentley | Steve Berk | Juliet Blankespoor | Ava Bock | Sherry Boehme | Susan Bogardus | Marc Bolick | Marion Boone | Rebecca Bottorff | Anna Bouldrick | Timothy Bramley | Erin Broome | Gary Broome | Evelyn “Eve” Brow | Victoria Canipe | Larry Carlton | Devin Chapman | David Clapper | Mark Clarke | Ginger Collins | Bob Corder | Charles Costanzo | Ashley Creech | Victor Curatolo | Megan Cynowa | Annemarie Dargan | Dan Daugherty | Mary Ellen Davis | Megan Daw | Elizabeth DeLouise | Erin Dickinson | Tara Dorundo | Kim Dowd | Susan Dulin | Brenda Durant | Robert Eckstein | Heather Edwards | Mark & Martha Edwards | Lynn English | Jon Felsinger | Bill Feste | Jeff Fleagle | Deborah Fleming | A Spring Forbus | Steve Foster | Stephen Fotopulos | Craig & Sky Fraker | Ted Fredenberg | Thomas Gambrell | Jason Garrett | Roy Garris | Lea Gerni | Lee Gillespy | Daniel Glusman | Carole Ann Greene | Earle Gregory | Sherry Griffith | Sheila Guarnargia | Star Hadders | Chris Hanson | Kelly Hanson | Brian Harden | Amy Harman | Benjamin Harris | Lyndon Harris | Jodie Haynie | Heather Heilman | Dyan Heineck | Shaw Henderson | Kurt Hill | James Hines | Farrah Hoffmire | Natalie Holland | Thomas Hollinger | Eric “Big E” Howard | Andy Huggins | Elizabeth Hunter | TJ Husted | Bruce Ikelheimer | Gordon Jenks | Kristin Johnson | Jay Karen | Daniel Kasbohm | Anne Kennedy | Cheryl Kent | Glenn Kerns | Blaise & Cathy Kielar | Catherine Kielar | Elisabeth King | Katherine A Kipka | Robert Kistenberg | Mary Knox | Thomas Kolaski | Richard Kort | Jennifer Kulick | Lorena Lasky | Emily Lawrence | Natascha Leitner | Megan Lemmond | Elizabeth Levitas | Seth Little | Bobbi Livnat | Daniel Luckinbill | Craig Mariani | Sarah Martin | Tammy Martin | Susan Mathis | Vikki Matsis | Sebastian Matthews | Robert McHugh | David Mckenzie | Sally Medford | Joanne Morgan | Marc Morrison | Deserae Mowery | Calvin Mullen | Stefan Murphy | Bethany Nelson | Katharine Nevin | Chelsea Niwot | Tami Osborne | Robert Parkman | Rebecca Patch | Donna Paxon | Rachel Perry | Cindy Phelan | Laura Pierz | Katherine Pittenger | Rainee Plancer | Jason Powell | Bob Prim | Tracey Pullan Novak
Amy Ray | Marianne Redmond & Justice Rogers | Jamie Renegar | Bradford Reynolds | Robin Rhea | Julie Richard | Polly Richmond | Laurie Richter | Tracy Roberts | Kevin Roerden | Lisa Rogers | Adina Rudisch | Brenton Rueger | Michelle Ruggieri | Catherine Ryba | Kathy Saunders | Peter Schaumber | Susan Schneider | Sheryl Scholer | Ronald Sheppard | Shane Shewbridge | Todd Shriver | Barrett Smith | Courtney Smith | Marianne Smith | Denise Snyder | Jill Sparks | Tamra “Tammy” Spencer | Sloane Steedley | Scott Sternfeld | Robert Stewart | Nathan Stone | Hope Sutton | Janice Timothee | MatthewTollison | Ed Tomczak | Ensor Utz | Jennifer Waite | Jana Watts | Jennifer Weisent | Jenny Weisent | Brittany Wells | Thomasina Whetzel | James Wilson | Wiley Wimberly | Marcia Wofford | Lisa Wood | Brett Woodson | Tony Woody
INDIVIDUAL
Sara Abernathy | Allison Acosta | Charles Adair | Ben Adams | John Adams | Kendra Adamson | Randall Adcock | Katherine Aiello | S. Olayinka Akinola-Hadley | Leslee Alexander | Abbey Allen | Liza Almaraz | Tyler Althaus | Maren Anderson | George Austin | Beth Babin | David Baker | Diane Barber | John R. Barnwell | Stephen Basili | Patty Baughman | David Beane | Brandi Bedrosian | Ralph Bergstedt | Kathy Berlin | Lisa Berry | Anita Best | Linda Bialla | Lisa Bishop | Linden Blaisus | Kathy Blossfield | Bill Boardman | Tamara Bolding | Marion Boone | Patricia Borden | Adam Bowers | Joe Brillante | Andy Brokmeyer | Shari Brothers | Blythe Brown | Jarod Brown | Lauren Brown | Meaghan Brundage | Nita Brunner | Jennifer Bruno | Deborah Bryant | Chris Bubenik | Harriette Bugel | David Burford | Jennie Burleson | Eve Burton | Ian Busby | Jeffrey Byers | Lee Caffery | Louis Calderon | Scott Cameron | Kimberly Campbell | Victoria Canipe | Heather Cannon | Ingrid Carmichael | Stacy Carr | Traci Carroll | Mary C. Casto | Leigh Catlett | Owen Cauley | Maria Cavallo | Helen Chandler | Tonya Chapman | Misty Childs | Hilary Chiz | Shane Clark | Melissa Clark | Walker Cobb | Julie Cochrane | Andrew Cohen | William Collins | Jeanette Conrad | Kasiah Cooper | Kristin Cooper-Gulak | Melissa Corey | Cleaster Cotton | Douglas Coulter | Kate Counts | Julie Ann Covart | Diette Crockett | Missy Culver | Laurie Cuozzo | Shelaine Curd | Karin CYSB | Ryan D’angelo | Margaret Peggy Danka | Dawn Davis | Derek Davis | Helene Davis | Meghan Davis | Peggy Davis | Elizabeth Day | Claire DGaia | Ben Dicus | Jim Dimitroff | Colin H Diresta | Elizabeth Dixon | John DiZazzo | Bernie Drury | Susan DuBois | Benjamin Dunbar | Dixie Dunbar | Mark Durbin | Kathryn Durham | Emily Easterling | Marilyn
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Madden | David Madora | Melissa Madrona | Michael Maller | Dylan Maloney | Megan Maloney | Dale Mann | Samantha Marines | Jason Marks | Brian Marshall | Jennifer Martin | Valerie Martin | Jason Martini | Bree Martone | Mark Mason | Brad Massie | Mark Matasic | Susan Mathis | Catherine Maynard | Maariah (Meg) McAndrew (Anderson) | Christopher McAuley | Joseph McAuley | Jessica McBride | Lauren McCarthy | Joel McCombs | Agnieszka McCort | Marsha McDonald | Elizabeth McDonough | William Mcfeely | Robert McHugh | David Mckenzie | Chad McKinney | Dallas McNamara | Edith McPolin | Sharon Meeker | Alan Meyer | Jason Michaels | David Mikell |Ashley Miller | James Miller | K. Allen Millsapps | Sara Mindel | Laura Minerd | Laura Mitchell | Paul Mitchem | Lindsey Moberg | Nicole Mohrmann | Jeffrey Mooney | Jajuana Moonie | Donna Morrison | Marc Morrison | Sophia Mosby | Laura Moses | Nicole Mosteller | Madeline Moulton | Calvin Mullen | James Mullis | Colleen Murphy | Sean Murphy | William Murphy | Emily Muscarella | David Nedved | Brian Neill | Michele Nester | Sandra Newes | Bradley Newsom | John Nichols | Patricia Niemas | Erin Nortrup | Sheila Nuccilli | Mary O’Connor | Paul Olszewski | Julianna Olup | Mitchell Orland | Georgina Gina Padilla | Christopher Paradise | Michael Patterson | Carol Paulton| Melissa Pearce | Elizabeth Peel | Jenny Peng | Lindsay Peral | Eleanor Perkins | Mary Perreault | Michael Peterson | Kelley Pierce | Evan Pileri | Anna Platz | Ronald Poythress | Pat Priestley | Kasinecz Productions | Dianne Prohn | Fred Ramos | Benjamin Ramseth | Lucy Raney | Melissa Reardon | Steve Recchia | Marianne Redmond | Michele Reisdorf | Sara Rethinger | Carol Rice | Kenneth Richmond | Polly Richmond | Matlene Rickert | Lucas Rigell | Eric Robbins | Catherine Roberts | Jeff Robertson | David Rogers | Devorah Rosenberg | Lauren Roth | Carter Rowson | Thomas Russell | Nicola S Frazee | Timothy Sample | Gabrielle Sanchez | Rip Sanders | Dan Santin | Elizabeth Sauls | Gretchen & Rob Saussy-Dickerson | Erik Savage | Saren Schapiro
| Evan Scheiner | Paige Schneider | Eia Schrider | Jodi Schwab | Leila Scogin | Connie Scrivens | Stephen Seay | Erin Sebelius | Carter Seibels | Danielle Seligmann | Nina Shaluly | Katie Shaw | Kevin Shea | Anne Sherry | Tiffany Shobe | Brandi Shytle | Ricky Sill | Robert Simpson | Bailey Smith | Michelle Smith | Kyle Sox | Syd Speer | Sarah Speir | Elsa Spencer | Jason Sperati | Monroe Spivey | Hans Stader | John Stallings | John Starino | Bradley Stein | Robert Stepno | Melody Stickney | Jeffrey Stinson | Crystal Stokes | April Stolarz | JoAnn Strack | Patricia Strang | Natalie Strickland | David Stuart | Micah Swabb | Rhian Swain | Howard Sweet | Rick Swilling | Heather Szaro | Philip Szmedra | Nicholas Szuberla | Hailey Tanner | David Taylor | Lee Taylor | Lovell (Clark) Taylor | Teresa Taylor | Krisztina Teglassy | Mark Thie | Reid Thompson | Nicola Thornley | Gray Tiller | Harry Tiller | Pete Titus | Amy Tobin | Ed Tomczak | Cheri & Michael Torres | Karen Tressler | D’Arcy Truluck | Steven Turner | Mary Catherine Twiggs | Joseph Tyson | Taylor Vallandingham | Chris van Atta | Cynthia van Staveren | Hendrik van Vuuren | Alan Venable | Jenny Vial | Susan Waddell | Jennie Walker | Margaret Catherine Walker | Carl Wallander | Suzanne Walsh | Abigail Walsh | Holly Waltemyer | Neal Ward | Melissa Watt | Joan Wattman | John Welch | Sarah Wells | Wilson Whisnant | Frederick White | Tilden White | Robbyn Whitlock | Rachel Whitmire | Julia Whitney | Jonathan Whittington | Jaimie Widmaier | Adam Wilensky | David Wiley | Janina Williams | Leland Williams | Carol Wilson | Sarah Winter | Paul L Witty | Brett Woodson | Sarah Wright | Valerie Wright | Fay Yee | Mary Anne Yunker | Morgan Ziegler | Kyle Zimmerman | Linda Zwobota
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Eddy | Edward Ellington | Denise Elmore | Erin Ervin | Steve Eury | Ashley Evans | Lori Ezman | Paul Farley | Kimberly Faucett | Anthony Figuera | Kelly Fitzgerald | James Fleming | Linda Flynn | Sarah Ford | Diana Foster | Elizabeth Foster | Amanda Fox-Duncan | Amanda Franklin | Lisa Fullen | Susannah Furr | Mark Galipeau | Paul Gallimore | Peter Garcia | Kimberly Gardner | Heather Gerni Concetta Gerson | Michael Gerson | Jennifer Giattino | Benjamin Gibbins | Michael Gillespie | Leslie Gipple | Bradley Gobrecht | Elizabeth Godfroy | Jerome Goldby | Ruth Gordeuk | William Gordon | Ilya Gorelik | Russell Gottschalk | Sutton Graham | John C Grant | Miller Graves | David Gray | Mary Jo Green | Alice Gray Gregory | Sherry Griffith | Bettina Grundler | Jack Gurrad | Gabriel Guyton | Patrick Haider | Tim Haider | Jonathan Halas | Hugh Hale | Mary Hall | Marshall Hammer | Christopher Harjes | Dale Harmon | Jon D Harvill II | Kelly Haver | S. Hawthorne | Olive B Hayes | Starr Hazard | Evar & Rebecca Hecht | Renee Heindel | Christie Heuermann | Lee Heyne | Matthew Hidder | Brett Highland | Jennifer Hill-Verde | Robert Himmelman | Nikki Hinske | Jerry Hinsley | Karl Hinterkopf | Taryn Hofert | Philip Holan | Justin Honeycutt | Richard House | Marjorie Howiler | Aidan Hoyal | Bryan Humphrey | Tiffin Humphrey | Carolyn Hunter | Amy Huntsman | Erik Ingvarson | Larry Irwin | Christopher Isla | Thomas Israel | Amy Jackson | Virginia (Jinx) Jenkins | Sherri Jessee | Richard Johnson | Samantha Johnson | Annie JohnstonJones | Cullen Jones | Richard Jones | David Joseph | Ivan Juzang III | Rick Kappelmann | Michael Keck | Karyl Kent | Damian Kessler | Georgia Kidd | Paige Knoll | Mary Knowles | Jeremy Koelmel | Ken Kolb | Michael Krempasky | Phoebe Krisinski | Linda Krusen | Cameron Kurowski | Julianna LaBar | Coalter Lathrop | Douglas Law | Joyce Law | Suzy Lawrence | Brian Leach | Jeffery & April Leary | Jim Ledbetter | Michael Lewis | Miriam Lieberman | Jennifer Lindeblad | Ray Lingle | Madison Link | Shane Lippard | Jeromy Lively | Megan Lobe | Elana Lopez | David Low | Alicen Lynch | Steve
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LEAF MemberSHIP is a global community of donors who believe in the life-changing power of cultural arts education. Thank you for providing cultural arts education to youth locally & globally! 100% of MemberSHIP support LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International.
theLEAF.org
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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 2018 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 2018
Christopher Abrams | Adam Agee | Michael Albanes | Gina Alberti | Calvin Allen | Zander Allison | Evan Anderson | Bita Ansari | Chris Arne | Jimmy Bagley | Tom Bailey | Christopher Baker | Brenna Bardo | Dan Beckwith | Eric Beether | Mary Bethel | Corey Biskind | Melanie Black | Shanon Blair | Jene Blake | Brian Boles | Derek Brown | Drew Burgess | Christopher Burlingham | David Canner | Bob Carpenter | Nicholas Chamberlain | Pete Chiles | Alex Christiansen | Simon Church | Nathalie Claes | DeAnna Clark | Julie Cochrane | David Cohen | Tim Comstock | Michael Conroy | Jan Cope | Jim Cope | Jamie Corriher | Deidra Cox | Liz Cox | Ruvayne Cramer | Brian Crow | Anthony Cruz | Lillian Cruz | Emily Davidson | Patrick Davidson | Cor de Jong | Perrin de Jong | Lorax DeBuyser | Savanna DeLuca | Emily Demikat | Jeff Dickens | Roger Dilon | Stacey DiMuzio | Christine Heidi Domeisen | William Doyle | Skye Dunning | Todd Dunnuck | Misha Eli | Tashia Ethidge | John Farmer | Remi Figueroa | Jeffrey Fishman | Colleen Fraga | Chris Fryar | John Fullam | Dharma Gibbs | Sarah Gibson | Joanna Giordano | James Glaze | Lauren Golden | Ilya Gorelik | Christian Guadarrama | Brooke Gushen | Eric Scott Guthrie | Joel Hamlin | DeAnne Hampton | Griffin Harvey | Susan Haslam | Jessica Heney | Erik Hermanns | Rachel Herndon | Megan Hill | John Hipp | Forrest Horan | Alann Hutzel | Jennifer Jameson | Lori Jarzen | Robert Jolley | Caleb Jones | Lea Jones | Marie Jones | Patricia Jones | Terrell Jones | Lisa Kastelic | Derrick Kearney | Ricky Keene | Amy Kirsling | Tori Kleffman | Apache Knapp | Nikia Knapp | Batu Knowles | Evy Kollstrand | Sandy Konkel | Eric Kothe | Adam Kovatch | Alyce Michelle Kozma | Nic Kronk | Amanda Lavallee | Kaleb Lavender | Thomas Lawton III | Larry Layton | Sandra Layton | Andrew Lefevre | Sara Legatski | Kenneth Limerick | Meg Locke | Fabiola Lopez | Charly Louise | Stefanie Lucas | Jef Luke | Jon Luoni | Duncan Lyon | Malcolm Lyon | Stewart Lyon | Tomas Maly | Orlin Maurisio | Tanya McCracken | Merritt McDowell | Paige McElroy | Ethan McGee | Pat McGee | Bobby McHugh | Natasha Meduri | Isabel Meusen | Traci Meusen | Azaria Miller | John Miller | Alexis Miller | Thomas Miller | Julian Mistretta | Ali Moradi | Kelly Moran | Doug Morgan | Aaron Motley | Melissa Myers | Jeff Myers | Tiffany Narron | Chris Neal | Max Nemeth | Logan Noble | Thomas Nunn | Emma Onanian | Sarah Onanian Keith | Alison Ormsby | Sara Palmer | Jeff Paul | Becky Pfeffer | Madeleine Pflaumbaum | Tom Pickett | Alex Pinkleton | Olivia Pistor | Carrie Plaxco | Dan Potter | Jessica Potter-Bowers | Christine Priola | Jaisen Putnam | Pamela Pyles | Iyana Quinn-Cuffie | Jennifer Ramirez | Rebecca Rice | Tyler Rickert | Ashleigh Rivers | Erik Robertson | Salem Rodes | Lucas Romaldini | Javier Rosas | Conor Ross | Madison Rousseau | Christine Sargeant | Jess Sawyer | Martha Schenck | Jeff Schertz | Michael Schneider | Brady Schroeder | Maximiliano Machado Segovia | Sheila Shafer | Charles Shaver | Toni Shelow | John David Short | Chris Short | Charles Skinner | Hope Smallwood | Matt Smedley | Kristina Smith | Jesse Smith | Diana Sorensen | Natalie Spainhour | Jonathan Spencer | Monroe Spivey | Walker Spruill | Tom Starnes | Jill Steere | Marika Straw | Helaine Suskin | Cynthia Sutton | Erika Swahn | Danielle Swift | Nate Tadlock | Micah Taylor | Spencer Thomas | Luke Tiner | Leah Tollison | Matthew Tollison | David Tomlinson | Fields Utz | Lisa Varnes-Epstein | Karen Vickers | Glaucia Vieira | Kathleen Wagner | Kim Walker | Carl Wallander | Tia Ward | Nick Wassmer | Raynetta Waters | Florian Wedekind | Philip Weisenhorn | Savannah Wheeler | Taylor Wilkins | Roland Williams | Caroline Williford | Hannah Wyatt | Jon Wyatt | Fay Yee | Matthew Young | Katharine Zamarra | Kathleen Zepp | Gina Zwenger
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theLEAF.org
LEAF LOVE & GRATITUDE TO OUR 2018 PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Appalachian Realty Asheville Area Arts Council Beattie Foundation Black Orthodontics Bob’s Red Mill Bonefish Grill Buchi Kombucha Carolina Mountain Cental The Chaddick Foundation Citizen’s Fuel & Dunkin’ Donuts City Mac Diamond Brand Outdoors
Ginger’s Revenge Klean Kanteen Le Bon Cafe Page and George Bradham Family Foundation Richard Eckerd Foundation Southern Living Fund of the Roger J. McGuire Roots & Fruits Market Tito’s Handmade Vodka Town and Mountain Realty Wicked Weed Brewing Zevia
LEAF Community 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 Development Director, 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 [686-8742]
LEARN MORE About our Community, Mission, and Work @ theLEAF.org
LEAF Community Arts is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.
VISIT LEAF 19 Eagle Street, Suite 120 Asheville, NC 28801