Brain child of poets Dave Brinks and Andrei Codrescu, the New Orleans School for the Imagination is a non-profit arts education center promoting experiences and discussions under the guidance of local artists working in their respective fields. Originally housed above Mama Rose's, The New Orleans School for the Imagination opened its doors in the fall of 2000. Classes in Yoga, Dance, Arts, Poetry and Buddhist Tenets as well as the Poet as Shaman reading series and the first Festival for the Imagination were held in this venue. The School moved uptown partnering for a year with a live stream company to bring classes and readings to the Internet. Classes in Tango, Aromatherapy, Poetry, Blues, Mixed Media, Native American and Outlaw History were led by an extraordinary group of talented artists.