International Arts Festival
New Orleans, LA -More than a concert, it’s a celebration of diverse cultures exchanging perceptions about multi-culturism: its one world, one love and each year that theme radiates when New Orleans joins South America, Latin America, Haiti, the Caribbean, Belize, and Africa. Their communities represent the influences that make New Orleans the most unique city in the nation. From its inception, the festival has always been held the second weekend in June at Marconi Meadows at City Park.
The International Arts Festival is New Orleans 3rd oldest and only World Music festival. Each year it thrives on the exotic aromas of spicy foods, artistic crafts and exciting music. It’s a family affair where you will learn something from the person standing next to you.
The International Arts Festival is a leg of the International Arts Foundation; a 501c non-profit organization that uses proceeds to support local community projects. Over the years, the festival 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.
The festival is produced by The International Arts Foundation and Orpus Entertainment Corporation and was founded by New Orleans native Ernest Kelly. Kelly began producing concerts during his sophomore year at Louisiana Tech University. Kelly states, “My drive is to be able to help people overcome obstacles and gather experiences that will benefit them.” His love for music and his production know-how combined with a desire to bring cultures together through music and education encouraged him to form the International Arts Festival in 1987. His extensive travels to South Africa and the Caribbean have developed into a long term economic development interest which he has initiated in South Africa.
Throughout the past years the International Arts Foundation president and founder Ernest Kelly has produced many entertainment projects that have provided economic development for the City of New Orleans and exposed art, music and economic opportunity for New Orleans.
Khalid A. Hafiz joins The International Arts Foundation as the Executive Director. He brings over 30 years of experience in the music, entertainment and film industries and has produced and has lent his talents to many successful events and is widely respected for his expertise.
Over the years The International Arts Festival
has grown to include several community and educational interest
additions such as The Pavilion of Global Cultures, The Children’s
Global Playground, The Gallery of Expression and the Lip Loc Poetry
Lounge as well as an eclectic blend of world superstars on the
main stage. 
For the most recent info on this event and others,
check our New Orleans Special Event Calendar.
