Photo by James C. Kling

I’m a culture creator, myth curator, and chaos translator.
My work begins in the in-between—where memory meets longing and uncertainty becomes creation.

I guide others to breathe, return,
and trust the way.

Barbara Lima is a Brazilian movement artist, creative director, cross-boarder collaborator, mentor, and visionary who guides others through presence, vulnerability, and the poetry of the body. Her work is deeply rooted in improvisation, ideas of identity and intuition creating a spiral between memory and possibility, where movement becomes a portal to truth, creativity and connection.

See more about Barbara

Works & Awards

  • Vancouver Arts Academy (USA) | IYLC International Youth Leadership Conference (USA) | University of Oregon (USA) | Featured Artist at ACDA Northwest Regional Conference 2022 (USA) | Reed College (USA) | Western Washington University (USA) | University of Montana (USA) | Danca Em Trânsito (BRA)

    • University of Oregon Faculty member 23’/current.

  • Theatre de la Ville à Paris (FRA) | Lead Dancer at Olympic Opening Ceremony (BRA) 16’ | WOD - World of Dance (ARG) | Danse a Lille (FRA) | Hellerau (GER) | Kunsten Festival des Arts (BEL) | Pact Zollverein (GER) | Municipal Theater- RJ (BRA) | Teatro Alpha - SP (BRA) | Wiener Festwochen (AUS) | TANZ In August (GER) | Ruhrtriennale (GER) | Kampnagel (GER) | CEntQuatre (FRA) | LA Comedie  (FRA) | Bienal de Lyon (FRA) | Danse a Lille (FRA) | Danca Em Trânsito (BRA) | Reperages - Le Gymnase|Centre de Développement Chorégraphique (FRA) | Interplay/Mosaico Danza (ITA) | Polaris Dance Theatre (USA) | New Expressive Works (USA)

  • Believe The Beat

    Follow Barbara Lima as one of the featured dancers in the decade-long documentary about the artistic growth of a crew of talented Brazilian street dancers in the iconic city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This film has been screened at Hip Hop Film Festival , Oregon Independent Film Festival, Portland Film Festival, Latin American Film Festival, Vancouver Arts Academy and Rio Hip Hop Kemp.

  • Best actress for “Mother/Other” (HDDNW) at the Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 24

Work With Barbara

  • Guest Artist & Teacher

    Learn more about the work Barbara has been creating in Universities and Schools across the U.S.

    Click Here

  • Commissioned Work

    ​​A collaborative experience that creates a blend of cultural exchange, real talk, raw creativity and performance.

    Find Out More

  • Performance

    What if performance wasn’t about perfection, but an offer to presence and connection through truth? Want to witness our work?

    Click Here

My UNprecious Practice

Barbara debuts her first experiment merging movement, video, voice, improvisation and performance — a multidimensional exploration of expression. Watch the new piece, subscribe to her channel, and join the conversation.