For nearly 30 years, LEAF Global Arts has connected people through the power of art, music, and culture. Every shared moment has been made possible because of you - our community.

The LEAF Festival is critical to funding LEAF’s larger work: providing global cultural arts programming for thousands of local youth and preserving cultures and traditions around the world.

This year, the organization is facing a financial crossroads: between the loss of last fall’s Festival, losing a majority of arts education funding in 2025, and not fully recovering from COVID, the upcoming LEAF Festival could be the last. 

To open the Festival experience to as many people as possible, and to rally the full spirit of LEAF, LEAF is offering a limited number of LEAF LOVE Tickets at a significant discount.

Offered at 30% off,  these tickets represent LEAF's highest discount, even more than Early Bird pricing. Full-priced tickets also remain available for those with the means to give a little more to help support LEAF’s vital work. 

Jennifer Pickering, LEAF’s Visionary, Founder & Connector: “LEAF has always been about community, creativity, and connection. With your help, we’ll continue to inspire and uplift through global arts education and events for the next 30 years.”

Other Ways to Support LEAF’s Fundraising

- Helene Guitar Raffle: Buy raffle tickets to win a one-of-a-kind guitar handcrafted locally by Jayne Henderson, Kyle Landers, and Judson Riviere from wood salvaged after Hurricane Helene. This gorgeous instrument, featuring white oak, red spruce, and flamed maple, is both a work of art and a symbol of resilience. Proceeds go directly to the LEAF Local Artist ReLEAF Fund. The winner will be drawn live on the LEAF Main Stage during the Festival (October 16–19, 2025).

- The LEAF Book: Live Life Like a Festival, co-written by Jennifer Pickering and poet James Navé, celebrates 30 years of LEAF with stories, art, and reflections. Published by GracePoint Publishing, it serves as both a coffee table art book and an interactive journal. “It’s a tribute to a creative community,” says publisher Michelle Vandepas.

- Become a LEAF Member/Donate to support LEAF’s mission: Join LEAF in cultivating a thriving global community generated by the power of cultural curiosity, education, connection, and preservation. Members are the KEY to keeping LEAF’s work alive! Become a member at theleaf.org/give-to-leaf/

Source: LEAF Global Arts.

LEAF Global Arts, based in Asheville, NC, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting cultures and creating community through world music, arts education, preservation, and experiences. Its programs—LEAF Schools & Streets and LEAF International—empower young people locally and globally through mentorship with LEAF Teaching Artists and Culture Keepers. Funding comes from our signature events (LEAF Retreat in May and LEAF Festival in October), along with grants, donations, and LEAF memberships.