15 Years of Transforming Lives Through Art
Artistic Dreams International was founded by Lillian Alonzo Marín with a simple but powerful belief: art has the power to transform lives from the inside out.
Our journey began in 2011 in the classrooms of New York City — Harlem and Queens — where we brought professional arts education to children in underserved communities for the first time. Since then, we have expanded across the U.S. and México, reaching communities in Sonora, Chiapas, Puebla, and most recently, Tucson, Arizona.
For over 15 years, Artistic Dreams International has empowered young people across immigrant, Indigenous, rural, urban, and border communities to discover who they are, believe in who they can become, and transform their futures through the power of art.
To nurture youth K-12 to become creative and resilient world citizens who can transform their lives and their communities through the arts.
Where the
Journey Happens
We use visual arts as the vehicle, but our real outcome
is resilience, self-confidence, identity development,
emotional regulation, and community leadership.
Through our model, youth increase their chances
of graduating high school and continue their education.
The journey begins with self-acceptance.
Through creative expression, students develop:
Students develop presence and emotional regulation through:
Creating confidence and agency through:
Students explore diverse cultural art forms, techniques,
and histories from around the world:
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. You may adjust or cancel your monthly contribution any time.
Yes. Artistic Dreams International is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Absolutely. Journey Circle members receive regular updates demonstrating the impact of their investment.