Welcome to the African Cultural Arts Institute — a home for authentic West African cultural arts, rooted in tradition and shared with love.
Our Story
ACAI was founded with a deep commitment to preserving and sharing the cultural traditions of Guinea, West Africa. Built on generations of knowledge and lived experience, the organization emerged from the understanding that culture is not just something to observe—it is something to live, learn, and protect.
Through years of artistic practice, teaching, and international collaboration, ACAI has grown into a platform that connects people across continents through authentic cultural exchange.
Our Mission
To preserve, promote, and share traditional African cultural arts through education, immersive experiences, and global exchange—while uplifting the communities and artists who carry these traditions.
A world where cultural heritage is valued, respected, and sustained—and where global connections are built through understanding, not assumptions.
Authenticity
We honor traditions as they are lived and practiced within their cultural context.
Respect
We engage communities with dignity, reciprocity, and cultural sensitivity.
Education
We believe learning through direct experience is the most powerful way to understand culture.
Preservation
We are committed to keeping traditional knowledge alive for future generations.
Empowerment
We support artists and communities by creating opportunities and platforms for their work.
Our Work in Action
- Organizing cultural immersion journeys to Guinea
- Facilitating artist residencies and workshops
- Partnering with schools, universities, and arts organizations
- Supporting traditional artists and local communities
- Producing cultural programming and performances
Leadership
ACAI is led by cultural practitioners, educators, and artists deeply rooted in the traditions they share. Our leadership brings lived experience, professional expertise, and a commitment to integrity in cultural representation.
MAMADY MANSARE
Mamady “Tambou” Mansare III, 4th generation Master Flute player from Guinea, West Africa is known across Africa and around the world for his extraordinarily beautiful musicianship and artistry. In addition to being a world class dancer, singer, and acrobat for Les Ballets Africains, the most renowned and prestigious performance company in all of Africa, he holds the noble position of principal flute player in this revered company. In fact, he, his father (from 1964-1988 Ballets Djoliba, 1988 – 2004 Ballets Africains), and his grandfather (from 1960-1988 in Ballets Africains, 1988 – 1996 he passed away in 1996) are the only people who have ever had the honor of holding this position in this acclaimed company. In Guinea, the Mansaré family is known and regarded as a valuable national treasure.
Since he was born, Mr. Mansaré has embraced his familial role and exceptional talent as historian, storyteller, musician and dancer, serving his country first in several private dance and drum companies, next with the Theatre National de Guinea (1999-2000), then with the National Ballet Djoliba (2000-2004) and now with the largest and most acclaimed company in Africa, Les Ballets Africains (2004-present). Mamady regularly works with many of Africa’s finest individual master artists such as Mamady Keita and Famadou Konate. He is a member of the management team of Les Ballets Africans, serving as the ‘Registeur Adjoint’.
Mamady is a sought-after recording artist in West Africa; his music can be heard on many labels and with many internationally known artists on recordings such as Momo Wandel Soumah’s Matchowe, Afro Swing and Momo Le Doyen; Mamady Keita’s Mögöbalu, Mamady Lèè and Mandeng Djara; Les Ballets Africains’ La Mémoire du Manding, Héritage, and Silo (and others); Les Espoirs de Coronthie’s Tinkhinyi (and others); Moussa “Tanga” Camara’s Sabou youma vol.1; Kelontan Cissohko’s Koraba. His music is also featured in the films of French director Laurent Chevalier Djembefola, Mogobalu, Momo Le Doyen et l’Expérience Africaine.
Born in 1976 in Kissidougou, in the Forest Region of Guinea, Mamady is a member of the Malinke ethnic group. Mr. Mansaré is a direct descendant of Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mandingo Empire of the thirteenth century, and since his birth he has been rooted in the stories and traditions of his culture, as has been his paternal ancestors’ practice going back hundreds of years. Now his government and the people of Guinea count on him to chronicle and keep the details of these stories alive for the world. He takes pride in his role as a cultural ambassador. He is not only a beautiful performer and recording artist, but also a gifted teacher. For years Mr. Mansaré has been organizing and leading classes and cultural intensives in both the capital city Conakry, and his native village deep in the interior of Guinea. He works with students from all over the world: Mexico, United States, France, Japan, and the Netherlands, to name a few. Students and audience members from across the globe regard him as an exceptional teacher, charismatic performer, and as an invaluable resource of traditional information.Lastly, Mamady’s ancestral heritage, combined with his time steeped in the untouched traditions of central and eastern Guinea, plus his many years participating in the top performance companies of his country, have created the opportunity for him to become a fine costume and instrument designer. Directors of dance and drum performance companies all over the world now come to him to build instruments for them, and design specific traditional costumes for their production. Instructor (dance, flute, music, culture, Mande-Empire language) Interpretation Tailoring History (Mande- Empire) Performer Vocal training Song
Join Us
ACAI is a growing community of artists, travelers, educators, and cultural advocates.
Whether you want to learn, travel, collaborate, or support—your involvement helps sustain culture and create meaningful global connections.→ Partner With Us
→ Join a Program
→ Support the Mission