An arts space for babies and toddlers - perhaps the first of its kind in the country - has opened in Great Yarmouth.
Magic Acorns is an early years arts organisation which launched the venue in the former Citizens Advice Bureau building on Stonecutters Way.
The building is owned by Gillian Harwood, the author of a plan to regenerate the town, and has been renovated to create a space where artists will create sensory environments for children up to three years old and their families.
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Magic Acorn’s co-Director Sophie Fox said: “We are beyond excited to be opening our own early years arts venue in Great Yarmouth.
"We are already welcoming families in to our Magic Play sessions and will soon be launching our summer holiday program."
The artist-led organisation has been working in the town since the early 2000s as the music and arts team at the former children’s centre at The Priory.
In recent years they have been based in PRIMEYARC with originalprojects.
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Kavoous Clayton and Julia Devonshire of originalprojects introduced Magic Acorns to Gillian Harwood in 2022 to explore the possibility of developing the space for early years.
Ms Harwood said: “I want this building to connect the arts and education… it is a thrill to see Magic Acorns here”.
Over the coming months activity for families with 0-3 year-olds will be programmed, including ‘Magic Summer’ - a series of free creative play sessions, and ‘The Nest’, an artistic residency which is going to bring 12 local artists together to create an early years art experience in the autumn.
Magic Acorns’ new early years arts space has been made possible with Arts Council England funding, through partnership with originalprojects, and with property developer Gillian Harwood.
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