The Kissidugu Foundation

For the sixth year, the Kissidugu Foundation is bringing vibrant cultural arts programming to the Gunnison Valley! This initiative inspires connection, well-being, and cultural exchange through music, dance, and meaningful dialogue. In addition to its U.S. programs, the Foundation supports a campus in Guinea that provides opportunities to preserve and celebrate their traditions and empower their community.

The Guinea Campus

The Kissidugu School of Music, Dance & Education in Koukoude, Guinea was founded in 2011 by Gabriel Fara Tolno. The five-acre campus features a dance and drum pavilion, student housing, a pharmacy, and a kitchen. The school offers international workshops and scholarships for Guinean youth while providing sustainable employment for local artists—ensuring the preservation and celebration of Guinea’s rich cultural heritage.

The Guinea Project: A Transformative Experience

A key initiative, The Guinea Project, connects Crested Butte students with Guinean culture through a project-based learning curriculum. This year, fifth-year artists-in-residence will guide students in exploring the similarities and differences between life in Crested Butte and Guinea, fostering global awareness and cross-cultural connections.

Key Benefits

• Bringing Country Studies to Life – A two-week artist residency makes cultural studies immersive and engaging.

• Cross-Continental Communication – Students exchange letters and videos with peers in Guinea.

• Real-Time Learning – Each curriculum is shaped by real experiences in both communities.

• True Cultural Exchange – Direct interaction with educators from Guinea deepens cultural understanding.

• Culminating Performances – Students showcase their learning through music and dance.

Community Impact

Kissidugu’s reach extends beyond schools. Through partnerships with Wild Hare Dance, the Center for the Arts, Gunnison Libraries, Western Colorado University, Crested Butte High School, and the Gunnison Arts Center, the foundation offers community-wide music and dance classes, ensuring access to the arts for all.

This year, musicians of all instruments can study with Fara Tolno in a six-class course, culminating in a theater performance. A celebrated multi-instrumentalist, Fara has performed with legends like B.B. King, Neil Young, and Salif Keita. Additionally, Kissidugu’s February youth arts camp provides an in-depth study of Guinean culture, culminating in a live performance as the theater show’s opening act.

Get Involved!

Join us in celebrating the power of music, dance, and cultural exchange! Sign up for a class, attend a performance, or support this transformative initiative.