Photographer: Pedro Ayala

As it celebrates its twentieth anniversary, the Salvi Foundation — recognized for its commitment to musical excellence and social transformation through the arts — announces the appointment of Greis Cifuentes as its new Executive Director.

This new leadership marks the beginning of a strategic phase aimed at strengthening the Foundation’s connections with cultural, educational, and artistic networks both in Colombia and internationally. Greis will take on the challenge of expanding the reach and impact of the Foundation’s programs, fostering sustainable partnerships with international organizations, cultural sector allies, and entities committed to education and social change through music.

Greis Cifuentes holds a Ph.D. from the University of the West of Scotland (United Kingdom) and brings over a decade of experience in project development, international cooperation, culture, and sustainable development. She has served as Secretary of Culture of Ibagué — where she spearheaded the city’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music — and as an advisor to Colombia’s Ministry of Culture on multilateral affairs. She has also led initiatives with the Fulbright Commission in Colombia and Germany.

At the Fundación Nacional Batuta, where she served as Director of Development and Regional Manager for Bogotá, she successfully doubled program coverage, expanded the network of music education centers, and strengthened processes for social inclusion in vulnerable contexts.

Starting in May 2025, Greis will lead the Salvi Foundation with a comprehensive vision that integrates culture, education, sustainability, and innovation. Her leadership will focus on building new bridges of collaboration with organizations that share the Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence, music education, and institutional strengthening of the cultural sector.

“I embrace this responsibility with profound respect for the legacy that has been built and with the firm conviction that music can continue to serve as a bridge between people, territories, and generations. My goal is to strengthen access to music education, connect the Salvi Foundation to national and international networks, and join forces with those who believe that culture not only transforms lives, but also builds society,” stated Greis Cifuentes.

Over the past 20 years, the Salvi Foundation has been the driving force behind major projects such as the Cartagena Music Festival, the Cartagena Symphony Orchestra, the Ibagué Festival, and the String Instrument Construction and Repair Technology Program, developed in partnership with the Tolima Conservatory and the Antonio Stradivari School of Violin Making in Cremona, Italy. Through these efforts, the Foundation has consolidated its role as a cultural benchmark in Colombia and Latin America.

With this new leadership, the Salvi Foundation reaffirms its commitment to nurturing Colombian musical talent, promoting artistic excellence, and building a robust and inclusive cultural ecosystem that ensures the sustainability and growth of the music sector in Colombia.

Press Contact
Luisa F. Cano
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