With support from the California Arts Council, Destiny Arts Center will bring 32 weeks of high-quality South African dance and percussion programming to three Title I West Oakland elementary schools, Prescott, Hoover, and Lafayette-Martin Luther King Elementary School. In total, this Youth Arts Action residency will reaching a total of 160 students, strengthening their sense of peace, power, and creativity as they engage in culturally relevant arts experiences in their own neighborhood.
In a typical year, Destiny Arts Center (DAC) brings approximately 6,000 children and youth (ages 3 to 18) financially accessible, professionally taught movement and performing arts classes that support their socio-emotional health. Classes take place in our 7,800 sq. ft. North Oakland arts center and at approximately 50 school sites, primarily Title I schools in East and West Oakland. DAC’s professional teaching artists are well-versed in our Warrior’s Code of values (love, honor, respect, responsibility, care, and peace) and signature creative youth development framework (opening/closing circle, gain artistic experience, engage in creative process, perform). As a result, DAC programs effectively encourage arts learning while increasing young people’s sense of peace, power, and creativity.