Investing in the future, investing in joy.

A personal reflection from Artistic Director Lauren Jost

This last year, there were a lot of demands on our attention and advocacy. Storms, wildfires, national health insurance policy, local justice reform.  There were a lot of times I would ask myself, of all the places I can be putting my focus and time, is baby theater really the most pressing? The most necessary for creating the world I believe our children deserve?

But every time I sit in a room where children are watching one of our tiny plays for tiny people, or in a library where a Free Family Art Day is taking place, I see the relaxation and joy, not just on the faces of the children at our events, but on the faces of their parents and caregivers as well.

There is value in joy. There is value in beauty. There is value in creating a space for families to bond and share stories and create memories together.

Most importantly, there is value in providing spaces for children to develop empathy, community, and connection to one another and the world around them. That investment is one that will not just make the world better this year, in these spaces, but well into the future when we hand off this world to the next generation.

Thank you to all our artists who poured their creativity into Spellbound projects this year. Thank you to our staff and Board of Directors who tireless work to create new ways for our work to reach our whole community. Thank you to the donors and sponsors who provide the space, funds, and support for our work to develop. Thank you for believing in babies' and toddlers' and preschoolers' right to art, and for giving your time, talents, and energy to bring these programs to life. I am deeply honored to share this work with you.

Best wishes for a beautiful, creative, and joyful 2018!

Lauren