Our annual report 2025/26

This year has been one of growth, connection and extravagant ideas.

At the heart of this year’s work was Building Our Belonging. For Magic Acorns, belonging is more than a feeling – it is a dynamic, evolving practice rooted in nurture, care, and spaces where children, families, and artists are valued. Funded by Arts Council England, the project allowed us to establish a sanctuary for early years creativity in Great Yarmouth.

A defining moment came with the launch of Ripple Early Years Arts Festival – the East of England’s first arts festival dedicated to babies and toddlers. Our PlayTech project invited very young children to explore the meeting point of digital and physical play, while Wavelength brought families to the North Denes beach to listen, move, and make noise together amongst the dunes. From sand to stage, we witnessed the power of unhurried time and deep play in the unique spaces of Great Yarmouth.

Ripple also brought together local and international artists, researchers, and practitioners at our first Professional Symposium – a day of bold thinking about what it means to make art with and for children under three.

We are grateful to everyone who made this year possible.

Read our Annual Report 2025/26 to find out what we’ve been up to.

Dr Charlotte Arculus, Sophie Fox, Joy Haynes, and Dr Jessica Pitt

Directors, Magic Acorns

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