In 2018, Irish jazz musician and producer John Keating (Johno) embarked on a mission to harness the power of music as a catalyst for change. Inspired by his travels across Palestine, Sudan, North Africa, and the Middle East, Johno saw how music could heal, unite, and uplift communities facing unimaginable challenges. With this belief, the Delia Arts Foundation was born, dedicated to creating opportunities for artists and communities in the world's most underserved regions.

The journey began with Delia Sessions, intimate live recordings showcasing Palestinian musicians' extraordinary talents. These sessions offered global audiences a glimpse into their resilience and creativity, proving that music can transcend borders and amplify voices that might otherwise remain unheard.

In 2020, the Delia Center Gaza opened its doors, becoming a sanctuary for musicians and the community. For four years, it provided free rehearsal spaces, recording studios, and training programs in a region with few opportunities for artistic expression. It became more than a space, it was a lifeline, where hope was nurtured and creativity flourished despite adversity.

In 2021, Live for Gaza brought the world together in solidarity. Featuring icons like Roger Waters, Tom Morello, and Mohammed Assaf, this online fundraiser raised vital support for the Gaza Center while proving that music can inspire collective action across borders.

In Bukavu, Congo, the Delia-Ndaro Center emerged as a haven for music, art, and cultural preservation, offering a lifeline to a region deeply impacted by conflict.

Creative Corners introduced portable multimedia stations to schools and community centers across ten countries, empowering children with music education and creativity. Delia Studios launched in Brazil and expanded to the Middle East, offering professional-grade spaces for artists to grow their talents and thrive.

The destruction of the Delia Center Gaza in October 2023 was a devastating blow, yet the spirit of resilience endured: in January 2024, the Artists Shelter in Rafah was launched, providing refuge and psychosocial music activities for displaced artists and their families, while employing local musicians to ensure that art remained a source of strength and healing during unimaginable hardship. Building on this legacy, 2024 marked a new chapter with the Harmony Day Center Gaza, a sanctuary dedicated to healing, connection, and cultural preservation, where music supports children and communities as they recover, rebuild, and strive to thrive amid ongoing challenges.

Artists are at the heart of this mission. They are more than creators, leaders, healers, and changemakers. Delia ensures that music remains a lifeline by empowering musicians to preserve cultural identity and foster resilience. Every note, every session, and every project is a step toward a world where art transforms lives, unites communities, and keeps hope alive.