I am the mother of a 6th grade student who was lamenting the lack of art programs in my son's elementary school. As the secretary of our PTA, I began to research organizations that offered art programs to children. Living Dream Arts stood out because they offered active, artistic expression. I believe our children need exposure to other forms of physical activity besides traditional sports. Our school is a Title One school, which means that over 50% of the students receive free and reduced lunch. Many of our students come from economically disadvantaged families that may not have the funds to send their children to art, dance, or gymnastic programs. Living Dream Arts came to our school and offered every child the circus arts program once per week. Their staff was professional, engaging, and inspiring. The children and teachers of the school rave about the program. Several students showcased skills they had learned from LDAs teachers at the school's annual talent show. Evidence of their love of what they learned from Living Dream Arts. I highly recommend this organization!
Living Dream Arts is simply amazingly awesome. We utilized their services twice throughout the years for two huge events, California Hotel Winter Celebration & National Night Out. Their is was never a dull moment and the performance was great for all ages. We would defiantly use their services again.
Living Dream Arts brings provides arts experiences to communities in the Bay Area and around the world. Many that participate in LDA's programs are individuals for whom the arts can be a therapeutic and healing experience: survivors of domestic abuse; shelter residents; communities recovering from disasters; children in schools with no arts programs. Not only does LDA provide these valuable experiences, the teachers and staff are extremely flexible and sensitive to the needs of each individual served.
Been involved with fundraising events and saw their teachers work first hand. Their passion was evident and I can only imagine how well they must be with children. They truly serve an underserved part of our community. Also, a little money with this charity goes a long way.
I participated in an amazing tour of India with the Dreamtime Circus in 2008. The experience was profoundly moving for myself, the other performers, and the children we entertained and taught. Dreamtime Circus is now part of Living Dream Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides arts education to at-risk children in the Bay Area and coordinates international tours to serve underprivileged communities in the US and around the world. As the Chair of the Board, I believe deeply in the organizational mission and am proud that this work has such a profound impact on children both near and far.
I've been fortunate enough to have participated in several Living Dream Arts events as both a guest MC and volunteer. As both a performer and a founding member of my own youth based non-profit company, I have the utmost admiration for what LDA has accomplished. Every performer is engaging, captivating, and of extreme skill. Together they project the image of a highly fun and talented family, and invite their audiences to join in happily with that dynamic. Watching them dazzle those in the communities they serve is inspiring and nothing short of magical.
Living Dream Arts/Dreamtime Circus performed at our small rural school in Texas which to my knowledge has never had a circus before. The students and community were treated to an event that informed, excited, and inspired all who attended. Most of our students live too far from and do not have access to summer transportation into the city to do activities or play at parks or recreation programs, so to have someone share this excitement with us was a great way to start the summer. The students especially loved the one on one contact with real entertainers and the chance to learn how to juggle and hoop. The donation of juggling balls meant that the kids had a fun activity to practice all summer long.
I have volunteered with this organization for over 5 years. I have seen Living Dream Arts do more good and reach more people with a budget smaller than most peoples annual income. Working in Peru you could see the kids become transformed by the experience of the shows, workshops and classes. The way that these programs instill imagination, hope, dreams and creativity while providing a supportive acceptance of each individual is mind blowing. I wish I could express all of the moments of magic I have witnessed from this organization here but truly they are innumerable.
Review from Guidestar