About Us

Mission

DreamYard uses the arts to inspire youth, public schools and communities. DreamYard programs develop artistic voice, nurture young peoples’ desire to make change and cultivate the skills necessary to reach positive goals. By committing to sustained learning opportunities along an educational pathway, DreamYard supports young people as they work toward higher learning, meaningful careers and social action. We believe that young people in the Bronx need a continuous set of supports to help them towards positive outcomes as they navigate their educational pathway. We have every expectation that through offering sustained and meaningful supports our youth will develop the tools to become creative and engaged citizens, life-long learners and the leaders and innovators of the 21st century.

History

Two decades ago, DreamYard was just an idea; one sparked by a group of young people who wrote a play about a place where kids could go to dream. Now, it has developed into the largest arts organization in the Bronx drawing on the amazing talents of the young people and families in the neighborhoods surrounding the DreamYard Art Center and in a network of partnering Bronx public schools including the DreamYard Preparatory High School. Based on core values of Artistry, Character, Empowerment and Scholarship, and aligned with the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for the Arts and the NY State Learning Standards, our programs encourage young people to pursue educational pathways toward higher learning, meaningful careers and social action. We currently impact the social and educational development of 8,500 young people, from Kindergarten to 12th grade, across 42 public schools and at the Art Center!

The DreamYard Team