OUR STORY

Dance Ojai began as a grassroots movement built from one small Bollywood dance class in 2013. What started as a group of women gathering weekly to dance soon grew into a shared vision rooted in community, cultural appreciation, creativity, joy, and wellbeing. Through movement, we experienced firsthand the power of the arts to strengthen human connection, uplift the spirit, and create meaningful belonging across generations and backgrounds.

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As the community around us grew, so did our commitment to creating accessible opportunities for others to experience those same benefits. Over the years, Dance Ojai expanded from a single class into a vibrant community arts organization offering performances, workshops, wellness programs, and multicultural events throughout Ventura County. Built entirely through volunteer dedication for more than a decade, the organization grew through passion, collaboration, and deep community support.

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In 2024, Dance Ojai officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in order to expand its impact and create a more sustainable future for arts programming in the Ojai Valley. Today, through year-round movement and wellness programs, community partnerships, and the Ojai World Dance Festival — which now welcomes more than 3,500 attendees and supports over 300 artists annually — Dance Ojai has become a growing force for cultural connection, creative expression, wellbeing, and community engagement.

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We believe the arts have the power to transform communities by bringing people together through joy, healing, creativity, and shared experience. As we look toward the future, Dance Ojai envisions becoming one of Ventura County’s leading community arts organizations while continuing to expand access to the arts and strengthen community wellbeing for generations to come.