Our Story

Dreamtime Circus and VAGABOOM! merged in 2009 to create Living Dream Arts, a nonprofit organization with the shared mission to bring interactive art programs and performances to under-served communities in the Bay Area and around the world.  Recently, a generous donor pledged a matching gift of $5,000 to help us expand our art programs and reach out to youth in communities that have been heavily impacted by the economic downturn.  In order to receive this donation, Living Dream Arts must "match" it by raising an additional $5,000.  We've already raised $2,000 through other means so if we reach our campaign goal of $3,000, we'll make the match!

The Impact

Public schools have been hit hard in the current economic downturn as shrinking state and local budgets have meant less funding for education.  Art programs are often the first to go, so we help fill these budget gaps by offering free or affordable after-school art programs to schools that lack the funding to provide their students with these types of activities. 

We know that learning art forms like music, dance, and circus arts is an important part of personal development.  We've seen how our programs impact the youth we teach, empowering them to express themselves creatively, improving their self-confidence, and giving them a strong sense of community awareness and the importance of working together as a team.  And by providing after-school programs we're giving kids an alternative to getting involved in gangs, drugs, or other activities that can do more harm than good.  Learn more about our VAGABOOM! after-school programs here.

In addition to expanding our after-school programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, we'll also hit the road to bring circus workshops and a new Dreamtime Circus performance to communities across the US.  We'll reach out to a wide range of communities and offer our programs for free in areas hit hardest by the recession.  Learn more about previous Dreamtime Circus tours in India and Peru here.

What We Need

We've been given the challenge to raise $5,000 to match a $5,000 pledge, thereby bringing in a total of $10,000 in new contributions!  With this we can significantly expand our programs and reach more youth in the Bay Area and across the country.  And since we've already raised $2,000 through other means, if we reach our $3,000 campaign goal, we've made the match!

If we reach our goal, the total of $10,000 in new contributions will allow us to:

• Offer 1 new semester long after-school program in music, theater, dance, fine art, or circus arts in Oakland.
• Offer 1 new semester long after-school program and 1 new summer arts intensive in music, theater, dance, fine art, or circus arts in San Francisco (will be offered in partnership with United Playaz).
• Purchase equipment (props, costumes, workshop supplies, etc.) for our tour of the US next spring, where we will offer free circus art workshops and performances to communities across the country.
  

If we don't reach our goal, we risk losing the $5,000 matching gift and this would significantly reduce the number of new programs we could offer as well as the amount of equipment we could purchase for the tour.  That being said, whatever amount we do raise will still be put to good use.  As soon as we have enough for one after-school program (approximately $2,500) we will implement it.  And then the remaining funds will go toward equipment for the tour.

What You Get

By supporting this campaign with a tax-deductible donation, you'll help us make the match so we can do it all.  But even if we fall short, we can assure you that your contribution will help us reach more youth with our programs.  And don't forget the perks!  Depending on your level of support, you could see your name on our website, receive a documentary about our incredible circus tour in India, or even get VIP tickets to a Dreamtime Circus show near you!

Other Ways You Can Help

Help us spread the word!  Think of how many people you know that have been touched by art, music, theater, dance, or the circus and give them the opportunity to bring this type of creative expression into the lives of more people.  Email the campaign link to your friends, hit the Facebook or Twitter buttons, or just chat about it at work tomorrow.

We would also welcome donations of art supplies, musical instruments, circus props, and audio/visual equipment.  Please contact us at info(AT)livingdreamarts.org if you have items in new or good condition to donate.

Living Dream Arts envisions a world where creativity and inspiration flourish, hope overcomes fear, and everyone may dream their life and live their dreams...thank you so much for your support!