Kofago Cultural Residencies
Kofago Cultural Residencies brings turnkey African Diasporic dance residencies, with live drummers, trained teaching artists and a standards-aligned curriculum, to schools and organizations, and reinvests every dollar earned into free cultural programming for our communities.
The Problem
Across New York City, schools are committed to culturally responsive education, yet the arts programs that bring that commitment to life are often out of reach. Many schools lack teaching artists trained in African Diasporic dance and music, and few have a ready-made curriculum that honors these traditions with depth and accuracy. As a result, students miss the chance to experience the history, rhythm and community values carried in these art forms, and educators are left to piece together lessons without the expertise or resources to teach them well. Kofago Cultural Residencies closes that gap by bringing skilled artists, live drummers and a structured, standards-aligned curriculum directly into the classroom.
Value Proposition
Kofago Cultural Residencies give schools a complete, ready-to-run arts program with no assembly required. Each residency runs 8 to 12 weeks and is led by trained teaching artists alongside live drummers, so students learn African Diasporic dance the way it is meant to be experienced: in rhythm, in community and in context. Every session follows a written curriculum tied to learning standards, making it easy for schools to connect the work to their academic goals. The residency ends with a culminating student performance that lets young people share what they’ve learned with families, classmates and the wider school community.
Turnkey cultural residencies, ready to run.
- 8–12 week residencies
- Live drummers and trained teaching artists
- Written curriculum tied to learning standards
- Culminating student performance
Key Activities
Kofago’s work rests on three core activities. We train teaching artists so that every instructor brings both cultural knowledge and classroom skill to their sessions. We deliver residencies and workshops that bring African Diasporic dance and music directly to students in schools and community settings. And we document outcomes at every stage, tracking participation, learning and growth so that schools, funders and families can see the real impact of the work. foundation in these art forms, while also incorporating diverse cultural elements to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of our shared heritage.
Beneficiaries
Kofago Cultural Residencies reach well beyond the classroom. Students in Queens, the Bronx and beyond gain hands-on experience with African Diasporic dance and music, building confidence, discipline and a deeper connection to cultural heritage. Families and community members share in that learning through performances and events that bring people together around these traditions. Emerging teaching artists gain paid opportunities, mentorship and professional experience, helping to grow the next generation of culture bearers.
Key Resources
Kofago’s work is built on deep expertise in West African and Caribbean folkloric dance, grounded in years of study, apprenticeship and teaching with master artists. The Kofago Dance Ensemble and its musicians bring that knowledge to life, giving students the chance to learn alongside working performers and live drummers. Our packaged curriculum turns this expertise into a clear, structured program that schools and partners can count on, so that every residency is consistent, meaningful and true to the traditions it teaches.
Channels
Kofago connects with schools and partners through channels built on years of community trust. City Council member discretionary funding helps bring residencies to schools that might otherwise go without, and our presence on NYC Department of Education vendor lists makes it simple for schools to book programming directly. Our relationships across CUNY and professional arts and education networks open doors to new partnerships, while community events and word of mouth from families, educators and audiences continue to be among our strongest sources of new connections.
Join the Kofago Community
We invite you to become a part of the Kofago Institute community and embark on an enriching journey of artistic discovery. Whether you are a student, parent, artist, or supporter, there is a place for you at Kofago Institute. Join us as we unlock the potential within, celebrate culture, and make a positive impact in our local community and beyond.
