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This will be our 20th Year Anniversary for the International Arts Festival and we are very proud and thankful. Although Katrina caused a lot of damage to the City of New Orleans, we here at the International Arts Foundation are committed to helping rebuild New Orleans and revitalize the rich and vibrant culture that is so much of life here in New Orleans.
It is absolutely essential that we support the struggle of our sisters and brothers for the Right to return to reclaim their homes, neighborhoods and the city with equity, justice and dignity. The International Arts Foundation will use the arts and music as one of many ways to move towards the long road of recovery. We will join forces with others to do what we can to insure that New Orleans comes back to a place of excitement and African retention. The International Arts Foundation is a 501c non-profit organization that uses proceeds to support local community projects. Over the years, the foundation has played a vital role in the promotional development of over 20 New Orleans based World Beat and Caribbean bands, as well as assisting many vendors with business consul and most important the opportunity to mainstream their business.
Over the years the International Arts Foundation has grown to include,
in the festival, several community and educational interest additions
such as The Pavilion of Global Cultures,
The Gallery of Expression and the Lip Loc Poetry Lounge as well as an eclectic blend of
world superstars on the main stage.
Founded in 1987 the IAF is a non-profit organization whose mission
is to promote global awareness, world peace and unity through music,
art and education. To help with the implementation of cultural, civic
and educational programs that benefit citizens of the community. Promoting
diversity and ethnic tolerance, community involvement with the participation
by all for the social and economic betterment of a community through The
Children’s Global Playground is the underlying theme
of the International Arts Foundation.
Foundation Creator and Staff In over a 20 year period International Arts Foundation President Ernest
Kelly and Khalid A. Hafiz together have produced many projects that have provided economic development for the City of New Orleans, and exposed art, music and opportunity for a new generation.
Khalid A. Hafiz joins the International Arts Foundation as the Executive
Director. He brings over 25 years of experience working in the
arts, music, entertainment and film industries and has lent his
talents to many successful events and is widely respected for
his expertise. “It’s
about bringing people together to enjoy, share and experience
one another through the expression of music and culture."
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The Gallery of Expression
The Gallery of Expression is a special space where Outsider/Folk Art has a place to be showcased. This is the unveiling of the Gallery of Expression and the IAF intends to auction artistic sculptures to benefit the Children’s Global Playground?
The Pavilion of Global Cultures
The former
South African Pavilion is a special place where world cultures
are explored through music, dance, storytelling, art, and poetry
as well as a lively forum for the presentation of community and
world issues to be addressed through lectures and literature.
More Global Pavilion>>
IAF Children Global Playground
At the IAF Global Playground, children of all ages participate
in a rejuvenation of community spirit, cultural exchange and edu-tainment
through art and music. Children enjoyed two full days of mask making,
water painting, coloring and a variety of arts & crafts as
well as story telling, dance workshops and an energetic drum session.
More Children’s Global Playground>>
The Lip Loc Poetry Lounge 
is a place where Spoken Word is heard! It creates the ambiance
of free expression of self by self. Here poetry holds the key to explosive
rhyme and reason as the youth and the elder’s bridge the generational gap through words of reason backed by rhyme.
At times it’s as smooth as velvet but most times the vibe is shocking as issues affecting society’s stability are reasoned with incredible vigor and style. The Lip Loc Poetry Lounge is live up close and uncensored! A space for the word to be tested and expressed!
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