The circus arts program at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, in West Oakland started in 2017 but it technically began in 2010 (yes, 11 years ago) at Lafayette Elementary. In partnership with Bay Area Community Resources, the circus program has endured through a school relocation from the original Lafayette campus on Market (now KIPP Academy) and a closure / merger with MLK Jr.
Arts organizations and afterschool lead agencies play ESSENTIAL roles in maintaining a continuity of relationships and consistent spaces of love, creativity, care, and learning. We extend our gratitude and props to after school program director, Lateshya Johnson, and BACR for their leadership and commitment to the West Oakland community. We are proud to be a part of this magical formula.
This above video shows moments from the Martin Luther King Jr. Circus Arts afterschool program led by teaching artist, Carolina Duncan-Page (Coach Coicoi), and Coach Freda. The program serves a group of K – 2nd graders and a group of 4th – 5th graders. This video captured some truly magical moments in November and during their December winter demonstration.
Below are some images from our early years with Lafayette Elementary School.
The program is one of PCT’s eight school based artist residencies with additional support individual donors like YOU and Alameda County Arts Commission ARTSFUND, the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program, Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, Arts for Oakland Kids, Banks Family Foundation, The Barrios Trust, Bernard E. and Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation, The Brickyard Berridge Fund, The Clorox Company Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, Frederick E. and Anne R. Barstow Fund, Ruth Arnhold Endowment Fund, and the Zellerbach Family Foundation.
Prescott Circus Theatre relies upon individual donations as flexible revenue to apply where most needed every year. Please consider making a one time donation or setting up a monthly gift to help sustain a continuity of quality programs for Oakland youth.
Click here to support Prescott Circus. Thank you!
