Beyond Words: A case study in AI-assisted artistic evaluation
An example of using ‘beyond-words’ methods as evaluation in action After a fruitful end of term reflection session of Music Garden – a 4-year training project…
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Pedagogical pathways in early childhood music education
January 2026, Music Teacher Magazine
Should early years music education be child-led or adult-directed? Both, says early childhood music educator and researcher Dr Jessica Pitt, who supports negotiating pathways for the very young and their caregivers.Read more -
Hornsea 3 community fund making a difference to all ages
October 2025, EDP
The Hornsea 3 Community Benefit Fund, created by Ørsted, awarded £250,000 to support 14 community projects across Norfolk, including Magic Acorns.Read more -
Children’s festival coming to Norfolk coast this year
August 2025, GY Mercury
Ripple Festival, the east of England’s first early years arts festival, will run from September 12 to 21 with events aimed at children under the age of three.Read more -
Early childhood creative practice ‘falling between policy cracks’, report warns
August 2025, Nursery World
A new research report, written by Magic Acorns with funding from Arts Council England, is shedding light on one of the most vital yet overlooked creative forces in the UK: artists working with babies and toddlers.Read more -
Free performances to take place on Great Yarmouth beach
May 2025, GY Mercury
Magic Acorns is hosting Wavelength, a “gentle, interactive performance” for children under three, on North Beach. Led by six early years artists, the event is designed to encourage families to “listen, move, play, and make noise together” in the sand dunes.Read more -
Communicative musical play in early years
January 2025, Music Teacher Magazine
Far from being an optional extra, music can play a significant role in helping children to develop skills in language, literacy and numeracy as well as communication and social interaction. Dr Jessica Pitt summarises recent research.Read more -
Magic Acorns to host free play sessions in Great Yarmouth
January 2025, GY Mercury
Free stay-and-play sessions for dads and male carers are being held in Great Yarmouth.Read more -
Early years arts space opens in town
July 2023, GY Mercury
Our dedicated space for babies and toddlers – perhaps the first of its kind in the UK – opened on Stonecutters Way, in the heart of Great Yarmouth.Read more -
‘Science… and magic… and art’ – Early years exhibition opens
May 2021, GY Mercury
The In-Between Spaces exhibition, held by Magic Acorns, can be seen outside the Primeyarc gallery (the old Debehnams unit), Market Gates and is open from May 6 to May 13 2021.Read more
Our latest blogs
Beyond Words: Using creative evaluation in community arts practice
At Magic Acorns we use ‘beyond-words’ methods to reflect on artistic practice – both immediately after each session, and summatively at the end of a…
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Watch Ripple Symposium sessions
Four sessions from the Ripple Early Years Arts Symposium are now available to buy and watch online. The symposium brought together inspiring voices, practical insights,…
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