Jorge Leiva is a Colombian-Australian interdisciplinary artist and educator based in Melbourne, with international recognition. His creative practice spans music, visual arts, performing arts, and community engagement. As an educator, Jorge has worked across the fields of arts, music, and languages in diverse cultural and educational settings around the world.
He has published work as an arts researcher, educator, poet, and visual artist in both print and digital platforms including The Literacy Times (New York), T&T Imprenta (Bogotá), and ANU Press (Canberra).
Active in the arts since 1998, Jorge has participated in multi-arts events and festivals globally as a performer, visual artist, artistic director, and producer. His visual art has been exhibited at institutions such as Arts Centre Melbourne, Synergy Gallery, Melbourne University, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Bogotá, as well as at festivals like Rainbow Serpent (VIC), Feria de Cali (Colombia), and the International Theatre Festival of Bogotá.
Jorge is also regarded as one of Australia’s top Latin percussionists. He has performed alongside internationally acclaimed artists including Juanes, Li Saumet (Bomba Estéreo), and The Cat Empire. His music has been featured in award-winning short films ((Butterflies, special Prize “City of Annecy Award” in the Festival international du film d’animation d’Annecy, 2018), global social campaigns (The Colombian Ambush, 2018), and advertising campaigns across Australia and New Zealand (e.g., BONDS Christmas Campaign, 2018).
His awards and scholarships include the Yamaha Great Start Grant (2025), Creative Victoria’s Contemporary Music Touring Program (2024), Sustaining Creative Workers Initiative, Regional Arts Victoria (2022), Positive Start Program, Regional Arts Victoria (2022), Creative Workers in Schools Grant, Regional Arts Victoria (2021); Youth for Peace Award, Psychologists for Peace Interest Group of the Australian Psychological Society (2020); Languages Teaching Scholarship, Department of Education and Training Victoria (Australia, 2013); South Project Inc., for “EL TARRO”, Leading Art Project across the Southern Hemisphere (Australia2011), ICETEX/ BOX HILL Scholarship (Colombia/Australia, 2007); Colfuturo Scholarship (Colombia, 2010) and First Price Art Competition Plaza & Janes Ed. (Colombia, 1998).
Jorge holds a Master of Teaching (2010), Postgraduate Certificate in Modern Languages (2014) and a Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching (2009) from The University of Melbourne; an Advanced Diploma of Music (2008) and a Diploma in Teaching and Education (2011) from Box Hill Institute; and a BA in Fine Arts (2004) from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Explore this website to discover more about Jorge’s inspiring work, performances, and creative projects.