The DreamYard Project

➡️ to 🕺
It’s our birthday!!

On April 18, 1994, DreamYard was officially established as a nonprofit. For 32 years, we’ve been painting, performing, writing, drawing, dancing, photographing, designing, choreographing, making films, making beats, making art, and making community. All for free. All for youth. All for the Bronx.

Drop a 🎉 and share your favorite DreamYard memory or what you love most about your time with us 💛

ONE WEEK AWAY! ⏳💃

The countdown is officially on! Next Thursday, April 7th, we kick off the Dance It Off spring intensive at the DreamYard Art Center.

If you haven’t submitted your application for grades 3–12, this is your sign. Space is extremely limited, and we’re down to the final spots!

✨ Don't miss the movement.
🔗 Click the link in our bio to sign up RIGHT NOW!

Get ready to move, groove, and find your rhythm! 💃✨

Our Dance It Off spring intensive is officially around the corner, and we want YOU to join the movement! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just love to express yourself, this is the perfect space to sharpen your skills and build community.

📅 When: Tuesday, April 7 – Friday, April 10
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Where: DreamYard Art Center
🎓 Who: Students in grades 3–12

Don’t wait. Space is limited!
Fill out your application today: https://forms.gle/XMM3XsjtvcpTTuak8

Our middle school students from the ACP and DDC community programs visited for Career Day. The event brought together youth from across NYC to explore professional roles within the theater industry. Throughout the day, our students participated in theater and art workshops, toured the facility, and attended a panel discussion with industry professionals to learn about various career paths in the arts.

The future of the Bronx is officially center stage! 🎭✨

There is truly no place like home! 🎤✨

We brought the BronxWrites Slam to Bronx Music Hall for the first time, and the energy was absolutely electric. Our young poets from MS 95, PS 46, and MS 315 took the stage and left it all out there. Witnessing their growth and courage is why we do what we do!

Huge congratulations to our 2026 champions:
🏆 Elementary Division: PS 46 (Shoutout to Ms. Fernandez + Andrée Greene!)
🏆 Middle School Division: MS 95 (Major props to Mr. Merchant + Daemond Arrindell!)

Our hearts are so full. Thank you to the entire DreamYard and GlobalWrites community for showing up for our youth. ✍️❤️

Creativity is TAKING OVER the Bronx next week! 🎨✨

We’re so proud to invite you to two incredible Mid-Year Sharings from our DreamYard programs. Come see the magic our student artists have been building!

-> CREATE! Inspire. Show. Share. Join our DDC middle schoolers for an afternoon of pure innovation.
📍 DreamYard Design Center (337 E 162nd St)
🗓️ Wednesday, Feb 11 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
🔥 Featuring: Fashion, Game Design, Animation, & Photo Booth!

-> Art Center: Works in Progress An intimate look at the brilliance coming out of our Saturday Art Center.
📍 Bronx Music Hall (438 E 163rd St)
🗓️ Saturday, Feb 14 | Doors open at 12:00 PM
💥 Featuring: B.A.E. • FASHION • B.A.C. • DANCE • A.C.T.I.O.N. • BEATYARD

Tag a friend you’re bringing below! 👇
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On January 22nd and 23rd, the DreamYard team gathered at the Bronx Children’s Museum and the Design Center for our annual staff retreat, a powerful two days dedicated to reflection, alignment, and joy. We centered our time around the intersection of arts and social justice, sharing student and teaching artist work that reminds us of our "why."

From these artistic roots, we moved into a collaborative "Gallery Walk" and a deep dive into our 2025-2026 SMARTIE goals, ensuring our team priorities remain sustainable and impactful. Whether we were mapping out our 2026 calendar or discussing the exciting leadership transitions ahead, the retreat was a beautiful reminder of our shared commitment to our community and the creative work still to come!

Huge congratulations to DreamYard’s own Renée Watson on winning the 2026 Newbery Medal for "All the Blues in the Sky"! 🏅📚

The Newbery Medal is one of the highest honors in children’s literature, and this recognition celebrates Renée’s powerful storytelling and deep commitment to young people. We are so proud to have her as part of the DreamYard community and grateful for the way she continues to inspire readers everywhere.

Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement! 💙✨

Check out All the Blues in the Sky: https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-blues-in-the-sky-renee-watson/21386269?ean=9781547605903&next=t

Join us for the BronxWrites Poetry Slam Finals as we celebrate our incredible DreamYard poets competing for the championship title! 🏆

Expect a night filled with heart, rhythm, and pure poetic magic. We’ll have drinks, light fare, and plenty of poetic cheer to go around! ✨

- When: Thursday, February 12th
- Where: Bronx Music Hall | 438 East 163rd St, Bronx, NY
- Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM | Show starts at 6:30 PM

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-bronxwrites-poetry-slam-finals-tickets-1981250840598?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

We can’t wait to see you there! Let’s fill the room with love for our writers! 🎤❤️

2026, we’re ready for you! We’re excited to resume programs this year and can’t wait to share all the events we have lined up for the spring. Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, enjoy these photo highlights from our Art and Design Center programs. 🥳

"Praise the arts and social justice. Praise equity. Praise the Bronx."

We are proud to share the DreamYard FY25 Annual Report. This year, our work was grounded in the themes of Nurture and Liberate, principles that turn our organization into a safe haven for Bronx youth to be seen, heard, and valued.

As we begin the transition toward our next chapter of leadership, we invite you to celebrate the "brilliance out of hardship" that our community builds every single day.

Read the full report here: https://simplebooklet.com/dreamyardfy25annualreport