What We Do
PROGRAMS & PROJECTS
The Global Arts Initiative offers a range of programs and projects to support musicians and promote connection through music. Our programs include music education, masterclasses and workshops with world-renowned musicians, and opportunities for young artists to perform with top symphonies and conductors.
The Cultural Crossroads Series is a dynamic performance initiative that brings world-class global music artists to stages across the United States. The series showcases a diverse array of musical traditions—from West African griot music to traditional Chinese fusion and Spanish Flamenco—offering audiences an immersive experience of the world through sound.
Each concert is designed to celebrate cultural heritage, foster connection, and expose audiences to musical voices they might not otherwise encounter. By featuring internationally acclaimed artists in local venues, Cultural Crossroads bridges cultural divides, challenges assumptions, and builds community through the shared experience of live performance. The series aims to expand the cultural landscape of the communities it serves, offering vibrant programming that is as artistically rich as it is globally relevant.
Launched in 2015, the Ghana National Music Festival is the flagship program of the Global Arts Initiative and a vibrant celebration of Ghana’s musical heritage and its place in the global arts community. The festival brings together local and international artists for a week of dynamic concerts, workshops, and collaborations that showcase the richness and diversity of Ghanaian music.
The festival is a catalyst for education, inspiration, and opportunity. Over five editions, it has reached more than 150 young musicians, many of whom have had limited access to formal music education. Through mentorship, training, and performance opportunities, the festival has helped launch the careers of over a dozen students now pursuing music professionally.
A landmark moment came in collaboration with the Ghana National Symphony Orchestra: the presentation of the first-ever Guitar Concerto in Ghana—a historic achievement that exemplifies the festival’s role in expanding musical possibilities and cultural horizons.
At the Global Arts Initiative, we are committed to expanding access to music education for all students, regardless of background or income. Our Cultural Crossroads Workshops bring world-class global artists into classrooms for hands-on, culturally rich learning experiences.
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Through multi-day residencies, artists work closely with students and educators to deepen understanding and spark creativity through global music traditions.
We’re also expanding our outreach through a new effort to provide free music lessons to students who cannot afford formal instruction, ensuring that every young musician has the opportunity to grow their talent and pursue their passion.
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Together, these programs foster cultural awareness, artistic growth, and equitable access to the transformative power of music.
