Heritage Through Art
Music, dance, visual arts, poetry and stage performance encourage participants to express their own cultural heritage.
Applications open • United States
Arts & culture program in cooperation with IFLC
Where Languages
Harmonise & Cultures Thrive
A values-driven arts and culture program. Children and young people express their own cultural heritage through music, dance, visual arts, poetry and the stage — gaining confidence and building bonds across cultures.
- Next edition
- Next edition — date to be announced
- United States
- Venue to be announced
- Program
- Registration open
Song
Poetry & Stage
Folk Dance
InstrumentalAbout
About Colors of Heritage
Colors of Heritage is a professional, values-driven program that brings different cultures together through art-based events.
Volunteer Spirit
The program combines a volunteer spirit with a professional approach to art, carried by volunteer educators and coordinators.
Confidence & Connection
It helps children and young people gain self-confidence while building strong bonds between cultures.
Why we exist
Vision & mission
What we are working towards, and how we get there.
Vision
Our vision
To be an inspiring platform that brings cultural richness and shared human values to the fore through the unifying power of art — building understanding, respect and strong bonds between communities, and leading future generations to preserve their identity and contribute positively to society.
Mission
Our mission
To bring different cultures together through art-based events, workshops and education programs; to support children and young people both in discovering their own cultural heritage and in expressing themselves through art; and to contribute to their social and spiritual development through participatory, inclusive, dialogue-focused work.
Our goals
What we set out to do
01 Develop talent holistically
Discover each student's ability across every art form, connect them with experts, and give them room and courage to express themselves.
02 Use art for service
Bring children with an interest and talent for art under one roof and guide them to use those talents in the right direction.
03 Reach the right address
Guide art-interested students to come to us directly rather than piecing things together from scattered sources.
04 Recognise potential
Some students go on from this program to Ümit Nağmeleri and to the IFLC stage.
How It Works
From your screen to the stage
Five steps take you from registration to the results.
01 Create your account
Sign up with your name and email. Guardians confirm consent for performers under 18.
02 Choose your category
Song, Poetry, Folk Dance, or Instrumental Music — pick the one that fits you.
03 Upload your video
Record your performance and upload it. Your file is private and never public.
04 Eligibility review
A coordinator checks your entry is complete and eligible before it reaches the judges.
05 Judging & results
Judges score your performance against published criteria. Results appear in your dashboard.
On Stage
Performance Categories
Sing your song, recite your poem, perform a folk dance, or take the stage with an instrument. Bring a piece of your culture to the spotlight.
Song
Share your voice with a traditional or contemporary piece.
Poetry
Recite a poem on stage in your heritage language or one you choose.
Folk Dance
Celebrate the rhythms, costumes, and dances of your culture.
Instrumental Music
Perform a traditional or modern instrumental piece.
Visual Arts
Share a drawing, painting or illustration inspired by your heritage.
Transparency
How you are judged
Every entry is scored by multiple judges against the same published criteria, on a 10-point scale.
Performance
Technique, control, and stage presence.
Cultural authenticity
How faithfully the piece represents your heritage.
Originality
Interpretation and personal expression.
Language
Clarity and command of the language performed.
Scores are averaged across judges. A submission is approved when it meets the published threshold.
Our history
Two editions so far
Colors of Heritage first took the stage on 21 June 2025; the second edition was held on 20 June 2026.
202521 June 202587 students in song, poetry and instruments · 8 folk dance groups · 134 performers in total
35 students performed on stage.
202620 June 202652 students in song, poetry and instruments · 7 folk dance groups · 94 performers in total
42 students performed on stage.
Preparation
How students prepare
Once the pre-selections are done and students are confirmed, lessons start online — followed by a three-day intensive with the art team in California.
- Talented students are discovered through the weekend schools.
- Families are contacted and must accept the program's conditions.
- Students work regularly on the pieces they are assigned, with their teacher following up.
- Accommodation is arranged with host families, who are informed and supported.
Watch
Watch the Highlights
A glimpse of the colour, energy, and unity of the festival — music and dance from around the world.
Clips open on our Instagram account. Full recordings are published after each edition.
Gallery
Moments from the Festival
A curated look at our editions — performances, stages and celebrations from the community.
Published with the permission of the participants and their families.
View the full galleryVoices
What parents say
Families who took part in recent editions share what the program meant to them.
From the outside it may look like a short performance, but for our children it was far more: stepping on stage, working for it, succeeding, being applauded, and gaining self-confidence.
Parent, 2026 edition
Kids Academy
The host families welcomed our children so warmly that our daughter asked to visit before boarding the plane. Our children now have a home away from home.
Parent, host programme
Host families
Thanks to this project, not only our children but we parents met families from different cities and states across America. We shared breakfast tables and built new friendships.
Parent, 2026 edition
Participating family
It was my first time sending my child so far from home, but seeing the effort and the values behind it, I knew I had made the right choice. You put a road map into our children's hearts.
Parent, first-time participant
Participating family
Why It Matters
Building Cultural Bridges
Empowering the leaders of tomorrow through language, performing arts, and intercultural understanding.
Songs of Harmony
Children share beautiful traditional and contemporary songs in their native languages, carrying messages of peace and friendship.
Dance of Cultures
Richly costumed dance troupes bring ancient rhythms and energetic folk movements to life in captivating choreography.
Voices of Youth
Inspirational recitations, poems, and storytelling in multiple languages showcase the power of young voices.
A Day to Remember
The festival creates indelible memories for performers, families, and audience members alike in a grand celebration of peace.
Community Spirit
Co-hosted by dedicated community and education partners, with support from organisations committed to youth and culture.
Building Bridges
Empowering the leaders of tomorrow through language, performing arts, and intercultural understanding.
Announcements
Latest News
Edition dates, participation details and volunteer updates are published here first.
20 June 2026
Second edition took the stage
94 performers took part — 52 in song, poetry and instruments, plus 7 folk dance groups. 42 students performed on stage.
2026
Five students in Ümit Nağmeleri
Five of our students went on to perform in Ümit Nağmeleri after taking part in the program.
2025
From the program to the IFLC stage
A student discovered through Colors of Heritage went on to take part in IFLC in Germany.
Get Involved
Take Part
Whether you perform, volunteer, or partner with us, there is a place for you at the festival.
Participant Application
Enter in Song, Poetry, Folk Dance, Instrumental Music or Visual Arts — create an account to start.
Create your accountVolunteer Application
Support our team as a volunteer on the day and behind the scenes.
Email the teamPartnership
Get in touch about organisational and community partnerships.
Contact usQuestions
Questions & Answers
Everything you need before the curtain rises.
Who can take part?
Eligibility requirements are listed on each programme's application page. Young performers of all backgrounds are welcome.
Are the events ticketed?
Ticketing varies by event and is clearly stated in each announcement. Ticket information is published on this page first.
How do I apply to perform?
Open the Participant Application in the Get Involved section and complete the form for your category.
How can I contact the organisers?
Use the contact details and social links in the footer, or subscribe below and we will keep you posted.
Support
Who makes it possible
The program is carried by volunteer educators and coordinators, in cooperation with the professional art team of the International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC).
In cooperation with
- International Festival of Language & Culture (IFLC)
Supported by
- Weekend Schools
- Middle School Counseling
- Mentor Portal