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Monday 11am - 7pm Tuesday 11am - 7pm Wednesday 11am - 7pm Thursday 11am - 7pm Saturday 9am - 1pm

Destiny Arts Center

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United States
Oakland, CA
Destiny Arts Center

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Inspiring and igniting social change through the arts since 1988.
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We offer programs to build peaceful, powerful, creative communities and talented dancers and martial artists. Our programming includes dance and martial arts classes for youth ages 3 to 18, a performance companies for youth ages 13 to 18 and for ages 9 to 12. Our School and Community (virtual) programs over 13 East Bay public schools offering Hip Hop Dance, Martial Arts, African dance and more! Our professional development offerings for teachers, educators, administrators is grounded in our Warriors Code and creative youth development model.

10/27/2026

This school year marks ONE DECADE of Destiny programming at Markham Elementary (Markham Elementary School)! As we go into our tenth year at this valued partner site, Teaching Artist Kanukai (kanukai) keeps TK-2nd grade engaged with choreography, individual opportunities for choreo development, and dance circles.

Thank you to our long time partners at Markham, BACR Bay Area Community Resources (BACR), and Ms. K!

10/21/2026

✨ End of year magic is loading at Destiny Arts Center! From celebrating new art and opening up new classes to more ages, to showcasing the incredible talent of our youth, we have so much to look forward to this season.

This year, Love in Action showcases will be split into two separate performances in one day to create a smoother, more enjoyable experience for our young artists and their families.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, December 12, 2026
📍 Location: Castlemont High School (8601 MacArthur Blvd Bldg. 300, Oakland 94608)
🕚 Destiny Junior Warriors (ages 3-7): 11 AM - 12:15 PM
🕒 Destiny Warriors (ages 8+): 3-5 PM

We can’t wait to celebrate our young artists and everything they’ve worked on this season. Mark your calendars, and bring your family and friends to cheer them on!

🎨 Last month, artists Derick Davies and Shomari Smith, in collaboration with The Warriors Foundation (Warriors In The Community), created two new murals at our center.

This Friday, we celebrate these beautiful installations at 970 Grace Ave. Join us from 12:30-2:30 PM for conversation with the artists, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and light refreshments!

💐 Spring 2027 Class Registration opens on Monday, October 26 at noon.

Classes for martial arts, breakdancing, hiphop, African Dance, and more are offered to young people ages 3-18. For more information, please visit our Center Programs page.

All our classes are pay-what-you-can. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Caregiver & Me classes are new, FREE Teddy Bear movement classes for families with children ages 0-5 from 11 AM - 12 PM at the following locations:

· Wednesdays at Destiny Arts Center
· Thursdays at Youth Uprising
· Fridays at Clinton Recreation Park

Caregivers must be present.

Adult classes are back at Destiny! Join two of our talented Teaching Artists on a 6-week workshop series to start or reignite your dance journey. Drop-in classes are also available!

Join Tae from 4:30-5:30 PM.

Link in bio!

Adult classes are back at Destiny! Join two of our talented Teaching Artists on a 6-week workshop series to start

10/09/2026

🗣️Destiny Community! Let’s show up for the Roots this weekend!!

On Saturday, October 10th, the Oakland Roots are saying a final farewell to the Coliseum with an incredible Fireworks Finale! Not only will this be an amazing night to create lasting memories under the lights and watch a spectacular fireworks show, but every ticket purchased through our link provides 20% of your purchase goes back to Destiny Arts Center.

⭐️ Visit this ticket link: oaklandrootssc.com/fundraiser
🎟️ Use our promo code upon entry and at checkout: DAC26
💖 Bring your family and friends for one final night at the Coliseum!!!

09/24/2026

🎨 When community shows up, you can see the difference.

On September 15, Destiny Arts Center was filled with creativity, care, and a whole lot of community spirit. 💙

We’re so grateful to the Golden State Warriors Community Foundation for bringing a team of volunteers to Destiny for a day of service — painting walls and murals, refreshing our front garden, and helping bring a brand-new outdoor mural by Oakland artist Shomari Smith to life. (Keep an eye out for a special post highlighting Shomari’s mural and an indoor mural by Derick Davies soon 👀)

A special thank you to Alameda County of Education’s EMERGE participants, who helped paint our indoor murals, and to HandsOn Bay Area for co-organizing this incredible day of service.

We’re also grateful to our newest Board Member, Mendel Murray, for helping make this project possible. As Mendel shared:

“Our ultimate goal is to create lasting experiences both on and off the court... building a brighter future for our youth by providing inspiring environments where they can thrive.”

That’s exactly what this day was about: creating a space where young people can walk through the doors and feel inspired, welcomed, and at home.

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and helped care for Destiny. Our building is brighter, our garden is refreshed, and our community is stronger. 🌱🎨✨

09/03/2026

The Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company is auditioning new members ages 13-18 to join our award-winning pre-professional hip hop dance company. Fusing hip hop with other dance styles, theater, and spoken word, Company members develop their artistry, cultivate leadership skills, and create powerful work that reflects their voices, experiences, and visions for the world.

Youth should bring a water bottle, be dressed to dance, and can prepare a one minute showcase of a special skill.

⭐️ Audition Times
Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 | 4:30-8 PM, registration at 4 PM
Friday, September 11th, 2026 | 4:30-8 PM, registration at 4 PM

💫 CALLBACKS
Monday, September 14th, 2026 | 4:30-8 PM, registration at 4 PM

Pre-registration link in the bio!

08/19/2026

We are proud to share that Destiny Arts Center was selected as one of nine community-based organizations contracted to provide subsidized summer employment opportunities for Oakland youth ages 14–21 for the 2026 Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP).

Destiny was selected to prioritize historically under-resourced Oakland youth, including youth who are not working, have little or no prior work experience, and are disconnected from traditional school systems. The program connected young people’s employment experience with our Camp Destiny youth-development environment. Camp Destiny engages children ages 5–13 through dance, martial arts, visual arts, mindfulness, and outdoor play, with an emphasis on community, responsibility, care, respect, and peace.

Thank you Mayor Barbara Lee (Mayor Barbara Lee) and the Mayor’s Office for helping our young people grow this summer. Thank you to Lighthouse Community Schools (Lighthouse Community Public Schools) and Lodestar (Lodestar Community Public School) for hosting Camp Destiny 🧡

Gloria Diaz was awarded a special commendation for her focus and strength in supporting Destiny staff and youth while she entered a new community this summer. Gloria successfully anticipated the needs of the community and was a big part of Camp Destiny. Congratulations Gloria and thank you for all your work!

08/05/2026

✨ Ready to take the next step in your artistic journey?

Audition for Destiny Arts Junior Company, our pre-professional performance company for youth ages 9-12!

At Destiny Arts Center, young artists grow as dancers and as leaders. Through dance, theater, spoken word and storytelling, company members build confidence, creativity, and the courage to express who they are in a supportive community.

💥 Auditions include:
• Learning a dance combination
• Performing in small groups
• Exploring a spoken word piece together
• Sharing a 1-minute performance in any artistic discipline—dance, martial arts, music, poetry, theater, gymnastics, and more!

📅 Audition Dates
• Monday, August 24 | 5-8 PM (Registration opens at 4 PM), OR
• Wednesday, August 26 | 5-8 PM (Registration opens at 4 PM)

⭐ Callbacks
Friday, August 28 | 5-8 PM (Registration opens at 4 PM)

📍 Destiny Arts Center
970 Grace Ave.
Oakland, CA 94608

Come ready to move, create, and shine. We can’t wait to meet the next generation of Destiny artists and leaders.

Marjorie Ortiz

07/16/2026

✨ We’re hiring a Development Director!

Do you believe in the power of the arts to inspire young people, build community, and create social change? Join the team at Destiny Arts Center and help grow the resources that make our mission possible.

As our Development Director, you’ll lead fundraising efforts, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and help ensure that thousands of young people continue to have access to transformative arts experiences each year.

If you’re a strategic relationship-builder with a passion for equity, youth development, and the arts, we’d love to hear from you.

🔗 Apply today at destinyarts.org/careers

07/10/2026

Earlier this year we marked our THIRD anniversary of Destiny Arts Center’s annual participation in the sensational San Leandro Boys and Girls Club Showcase!

We want to extend an incredible congratulations to the youth who performed, ranging in grades TK to 8th! And endless gratitude to the awesome Teaching Artists that support this community, and of course, to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro staff that work so hard to bring us together for this yearly show.

Here, we see drummers gathered from Moeketsi Boke Gibe Mr. Moeketsi’s Madison Elementary School African Drumming class, and Bancroft Middle School Bancroft Middle cheerleaders from Marjorie Ortiz Mx. Marjorie’s Cheer Club showing off what they’ve learned this year.

Way to go, San Leandro! And thank you to the ELO-P partnership of SLUSD and BGCSL for the photos of Bancroft Cheer!

07/06/2026

🍂 Fall Class Registration is NOW OPEN! 💃

This fall, give your young artist a place to grow, create, and belong.

At Destiny Arts Center, our classes go beyond learning dance, martial arts, and movement. Every class is designed to help young people build confidence, develop leadership, express themselves creatively, and become part of a caring community.

Whether it’s your child’s first class or they’re returning for another season, we can’t wait to welcome you to the studio.

✨ Classes are available for a variety of ages and experience levels.
✨ Financial assistance is available to help make our programs accessible.

Register today and join us for a season of creativity, connection, and joy!

Learn more and sign up: destinyarts.org/at-our-center

Address

970 Grace Avenue
Oakland, CA
94608

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 7pm
Tuesday	11am - 7pm
Wednesday	11am - 7pm
Thursday	11am - 7pm
Saturday	9am - 1pm

Telephone

+15105971619

Website

http://www.destinyarts.org/

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