We believe passionately in the effects of combining the worlds of Sports and Street-art to make both accessible and interesting for people from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. Sports and Arts should not only be accessible for the priveleged or for those who can afford it. With our DreamCourts projects we aim to achieve high levels of participation in both areas by artistically activating or renovating outdoor sports facilities, or by creating brand-new playable works of art from scratch for communities to enjoy.

WORKSHOPS

During the first week of each project, DreamCourts organizes workshops for the local youth.

By actively involving kids in the execution of the artwork we give them a
sense of ownership and pride. The workshops are an essential component of our projects, because it ensures that the DreamCourts have a
widespread social foundation. The kids who help paint the DreamCourts automatically become an ambassador for the court and the artwork. They share their enthusiasm with their peers and friends and engage in the playground more with more commitment and joy. Furthermore, in each of our previous project we learned that there is often an untapped creative potential in at least a handful of kids that may have otherwise remained unnoticed. By making art accessible and practical for these kids, we provide an example for them, showing that an artistic career is a reasonable and serious pursuit. DreamCourts loves to ignite any artistic passion kids may have and we hope to inspire anyone to develop and nourish that passion.

The workshops are spread over the span of one or two days, depending
on the number of participants. We guide and instruct the kids in their
efforts to help us paint the DreamCourt. In this stage of the execution, the composition is sketched out onto the court and we give all participants an area to color in. Our workshops are for everyone and anyone.
We encourage kids, but all ages are welcome. Background, religion, gender
are not an issue. DreamCourts doesn’t discriminate or exclude. Even your
skill level is of no importance. We will find something to do for anyone. Any ‘mistakes’ in this stage of the painting are very easily corrected over the course of the project, so there is no need to be scared or hesitant.

DreamCourts provides snacks and drinks during the workshops. The kids provide smiles.

COLLABORATIONS

Just like in any team-sport and much like Johan Cruyff used to say:
You can’t win by yourself.
And DreamCourts loves to collaborate.
Wherever we see an opportunity to join forces with a social partner, we try to make this happen. Our paint supplier for example, provides us with the best technical and practical advice at any time.
But also for the DreamCourts workshops, collaboration is of key importance. We can’t imagine working without the support of parties in the community to help us find the right target groups for the workshops. Think of youth centers, schools, sports organizations or community-centers.

Our manager, Emilie, ensures smooth and friendly communication between all parties to coordinate the best possible collaborations.

Additionally, DreamCourts has a vast network of teams and parties who can help us organize a ‘post-DreamCourt’ project or a ceremonial opening event. Examples are 3x3 Unites, Showcase Basketball and Soufiane Touzani.

Since 2021 we are working with the esteemed Johan Cruyff Foundation on projects with an even wider social reach. With the help of these partners
and team-players, DreamCourts wants to make sure our projects are more than just an impressive piece of public art. We want to think about how we can improve and activate the beautified public spaces for the long-term.
This starts by organizing an awesome opening event. But also by implementing an active mentorship program or periodic workshops and clinics, DreamCourts aims to make lasting social impact.
Aside from the improved playground, we also want to contribute to structural social effects by offering summer internships.

EXECUTION

To plan, design and execute the project, we assume will take about 12 weeks. About 3 weeks of which will be spent on the actual formal execution of the artwork.

Design Process and Painting

After we get the final ‘go-ahead’ for the project, we will initiate the design stage. At the start of this stage we will happily entertain suggestions from the city board of from the neighborhood. We will take these suggestions into consideration during the design process wherever we can. An initial concept will be presented after which a single and unanimous round of feedback can be provided. We will then fine-tune and finalize the design accordingly. This way of working benefits all parties as it combines artistic freedom and client feedback without unnecessarily slowing down the process.

For the final painting we use high-quality concrete-paint which is durable, scratch-proof and UV resistant. We also add an anti-slip coating to the paint. The DreamCourt, if used and treated properly, will remain pristine for many years. Because of the extreme variations in artistic styles of the DreamCourts artists, there are tons of design possibilities to be made. Due to many years of experience, the execution of the artwork is professional, adequate and of the highest technical standards, whether the design is typographical or realistic in nature

SAFETY

Paint

The paint we use for our DreamCourts is waterbased to ensurethat our work environment is as safe and responsible as possible. Water solluble paint however, remains a chemical product, so we take care of a responsible disposal of our leftover paints and materials after we finish our projects.

Any technical documentation of the products we use is available upon request, and we make sure a copy is available for clients and authorities on our work site.

Storage

We store our project supplies and materials in our 20 feet long DreamCourts container. The container is adequatly equiped with solid storage racks and can be locked with a heavy-duty safety lock. Our container will be placed after consulting with our clients to minimize any damage to grass or roots. At no time do we store any flamable goods or materials inside the container.

Supervision


Only under the rarest circumstances do our artists work on projects by themselves. But for the vast majority of the time they work as a dedicated duo, both fully present on site. Our project manager makes sure there is a binder present containing all and any important information pertaining the project: Technical documentation, important contact phone-numbers, printed permits and any points of interest that have been discussed with our clients will be readily available.

During the DreamCourts workshops we always provide some extra supervision and some extra sets of hands, to warrant all participants safety as well as we can.