Guardians of Culture: Building Sanctuary through Art and Education
June 12–14, 2026 | New York City
Sponsorship Levels | Become a Sponsor | Download Sponsorship Packet
The Kofago Institute invites businesses, foundations, cultural institutions, universities, community organizations, and individual supporters to become sponsors of Teranga Conference 2026, a three-day gathering dedicated to African Diasporic dance, music, scholarship, performance, youth mentorship, and cultural preservation.
Rooted in the spirit of Teranga — a Senegalese value of hospitality, generosity, welcome, and shared responsibility — this conference brings together artists, educators, scholars, youth, cultural workers, and community leaders for movement-based learning, dialogue, performance, and cultural exchange.
This year’s theme, “Guardians of Culture: Building Sanctuary through Art and Education,” reflects our commitment to protecting African Diasporic traditions while creating meaningful spaces where young people, artists, educators, and community members can learn, move, reflect, and belong.
Your sponsorship is more than support for an event. It is an investment in cultural preservation, youth access, artist sustainability, African Diasporic education, and community sanctuary through the arts.
Become a Sponsor
Download Sponsorship Packet
About Teranga Conference 2026
Teranga Conference 2026 is designed to be a powerful space for learning, performance, cultural exchange, and community connection. Over three days, participants will engage in dance classes, lecture-demonstrations, scholarly presentations, panel conversations, youth-centered programming, and live performance.
The conference will include:
- A youth-centered dance intensive for middle and high school students
- Movement workshops and master classes rooted in African and Diasporic dance traditions
- Lecture-demonstrations and scholarly presentations
- Panel conversations on cultural preservation, education, equity, and community practice
- Intergenerational learning between youth, emerging artists, educators, scholars, and senior artists
- The signature evening performance, KASSOUMAII, on Saturday, June 13, 2026
Through this gathering, the Kofago Institute is building a platform where culture is not only presented, but protected, studied, practiced, and passed forward.
Why Sponsorship Matters
Sponsorship makes it possible for the Kofago Institute to provide meaningful access while honoring the labor of artists, educators, presenters, musicians, and cultural workers.
Your support helps us:
- Subsidize participation for youth and community members
- Provide free or reduced-cost access for selected students
- Support the Friday Youth Intensive
- Compensate artists, instructors, presenters, musicians, and cultural workers
- Provide hospitality and lunch support for youth participants
- Strengthen production needs for classes, panels, and performances
- Support marketing, documentation, and community outreach
- Expand access to African Diasporic cultural education
- Create safe, affirming, and transformative spaces for learning and belonging
When you sponsor Teranga Conference 2026, you help us create an experience that uplifts youth, honors artists, preserves culture, and strengthens community.
Sponsorship Goal
The Kofago Institute is seeking $25,000 in sponsorship support for Teranga Conference 2026.
These funds will directly support youth access, artist honorariums, presenter support, musician fees, production needs, conference operations, marketing, documentation, hospitality, and community outreach.
Every sponsorship level helps move the conference from a single event into a sustainable platform for African Diasporic arts education, cultural preservation, and community impact.
Sponsorship Levels
Become a Sponsor
We invite you to become part of a growing movement that honors culture, supports artists, uplifts youth, and builds sanctuary through art and education.
Your sponsorship of Teranga Conference 2026 will help the Kofago Institute create a powerful, welcoming, and transformative space for learning, performance, dialogue, and community connection.
Together, we can protect cultural traditions, invest in the next generation, and celebrate the living legacy of the African Diaspora.
Become a sponsor today and help us carry culture forward.
[Become a Sponsor]
[Download Sponsorship Packet]
Contact
For sponsorship questions, custom sponsorship packages, or in-kind contributions, please contact:
Kevin McEwen
Executive Director, Kofago Institute
Email: theinstitute@kofagoinstitute.org