Art + Play Space

A North County Experience for Children and Families

The New Children’s Museum launched its first stand-alone satellite location in San Diego County on August 20, 2021. The 2,000-square-foot Art + Play Space is located on the upper level of the Del Mar Plaza shopping center along the coast in Del Mar.

“As supporters of the arts and arts-based organizations, we’re thrilled to welcome The New Children’s Museum,” said Marc and Patty Brutten, Del Mar Plaza owners and longtime supporters of the downtown museum. “Their Art and Play Space will offer a creative experience that will appeal to local residents as well as children and families from all over North County.”

Consistent with the Museum’s focus on contemporary art, the satellite location features a smaller version of the popular Wobbleland installation by San Diego artist Marisol Rendón. A giant kitchen sink with soft larger-than-life fruit and vegetable sculptures, the commissioned installation introduces young children to art in an immersive and playful manner.

The Art + Play Space provides children the opportunity to create their own art, with “drop in” hands-on art making in their Makerspace, as well as classes and workshops starting later this Fall. The Museum eventually plans to host artist talks, birthday parties, camps and other events in the space.

“This is one of the most exciting and ambitious projects The New Children’s Museum has embarked upon,” said Caroline Perry, Chair of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “The satellite location enables the Museum to amplify its efforts to bring art, creativity and play to more children and families throughout San Diego County.”

This is not the Museum’s first foray into having a presence in a shopping destination, as the original Museum opened in a La Jolla shopping mall in 1983 before moving downtown in the early 90s. The Museum has had partnerships with malls for several years, including a two-year sponsorship of the Westfield UTC family lounge and pop-up activations at One Paseo Del Mar and Westfield Plaza Bonita. For the past two years, the Museum has occupied a storefront in Seaport Village, an artist studio called Studio by the Bay with working artists, pop-up programming and hands-on art instruction.

“We have been expanding into the community for many years through outreach, partnerships and activations,” Kerri Fox, Deputy Director of Marketing and Earned Revenue shared with GB Magazine. “Adding a second location significantly expands our reach and helps us make art and creativity accessible to more people. We are excited to offer San Diego families two options to visit us and look forward to introducing the Museum to new audiences.”

For more information visit www.thinkplaycreate.org.