Blog
2024 Year in Review
2024 has been a busy year at BAAY! Since January, we’ve produced 15 different shows, offered more than 40 skills-based classes, and served over 1,500 students at our downtown theatre, in outdoor arts summer camps, and through BAAY's EduArts after-school enrichment...
The Nightmare on Maple
Featuring the Haunted Fear Garden & Zombie Dancers! Come one, come all to The Nightmare on Maple! On October 24-26, the Boundary Bay Brewery beer garden will be transformed into eerie scenes filled with ghosts, ghouls, and surprises at every turn. This Halloween...
WECU Education First Grant
We are delighted to announce that BAAY has been awarded a 2024-2025 Education First Grant from WECU! The Education First program is an expression of WECU's commitment to making a meaningful difference in our community, a commitment they fulfill in part by supporting...
BAAY Summer Bash on June 30th
Kick off the summer with your friends from BAAY! The Summer Bash is an all-ages event that will include food and drinks, BAAY merch for sale, yard games, activities, and a program starting at 4PM featuring live music, speeches, and special performances. Date: Sunday,...
Floral Hanging Basket Fundraiser For BAAY: Pre-Order Now for May 4 Pickup!
Just in time for Mother's Day gift shopping, BAAY is excited to partner with a local grower to offer floral hanging baskets as a fundraiser benefitting BAAY. It's a win-win-win proposal: you get beautiful locally-grown hanging baskets for yourself or for gifting; a...
Communication Students at WWU Reflect on Volunteer Experiences at BAAY
Communication Students at Western Washington University Reflect on Their Experience Volunteering At BAAY Nine students at Western Washington University who are enrolled in Doctor Rita Daniels Introduction to Organizational Communication class complete a...
Kaleb Van Rijswijck is BAAY’s Artistic Director
BAAY is thrilled to announce our new Artistic Director, Kaleb Van Rijswijck! In his new role, Kaleb will oversee the development and delivery of BAAY programs. They will coordinate our onsite classes and productions, oversee and support program staff, help care for...
Juliette Machado is BAAY’s Executive Director
Hello BAAY community, As you may know, our organization is in a period of transition and growth on many levels. BAAY’s Artistic Director Olivia Theilemann is phasing out of this role to focus more fully on her job as a teacher at Blaine High School. When she shared...
Artistic Director Olivia Theilemann Takes a Bow
Sounds of song and dance ring through the halls of Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth as excitement builds for BAAY’s upcoming State Street Theatre Company production of Cabaret. The show will open on Friday, August 18 at Mount Baker Theatre’s Walton Theatre. Director...
BAAY’s State Street Theatre Company presents: Cabaret
What good is sittingAlone in your room?Come hear the music playLife is a cabaret, old chumCome to the cabaret! You are invited to Cabaret! About: In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and...
BAAY’s Building is For Sale
Dear beloved community, Last month, we received word from our landlords that the building will be put up for sale. We first processed with BAAY's Board of Directors and then with staff. Some of you may have noticed that the building was listed publicly on Monday....
BAAY at Home Resources
Three years ago in March 2020, the world seemed to shut down overnight. BAAY shows were postponed, but students isolated at home needed to create and connect together more than ever. BAAY stepped in with “BAAY At Home” – virtual gatherings and classes that carried on...
Dana Crediford Receives Ken Gass Community Building Award!
Dana Crediford, BAAY’s beloved Costuming Director and Costume Shop Manager, has been recognized for her work at BAAY and as an all-around outstanding community member! She is a recipient of the Ken Gass Community Building Awards, which are awarded annually by the...
BAAY’s Haunted Fear Garden 2022
Come one, come all to the 7th annual Nightmare on Railroad! On October 28-29 and 31, the Boundary Bay Brewery beer garden will be transformed into spooky scenes filled with ghosts, ghouls, and surprises at every turn. Each night from 6:00-9:00 PM, this...
Save The Date for Summer 2022 Camps!
Specific arts classes and shows will be announced soon, but get these dates on the calendar - we can't wait to create with you this summer! Summer Programs include: Home BAAYse Camps in July - weeklong day camps will run July 5 - 29, a week at a time, with a variety...
BAAY hosts Food and Art Drive for Farmworkers
BAAY and Bellingham Repertory Dance are partnering in support of the WASHMASKS Heart of Washington Winter 2021 Drive. Together, we will provide culturally responsive food, household items, and art supplies to several farming communities across our state. We're...
Our donors provided $37,539 in scholarships last year!
Look what you did! On this Giving Tuesday, we are giving thanks for our generous donors who allowed us to provide $37,539 in financial aid to students last year. Maybe your idea of fun isn't reading a tax return, but our most recent annual Form 990 filed with the IRS...
How Education First Saved Underwater Llamas
"If not for the Education First funding Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth received via a grant from Whatcom Educational Credit Union in 2019, The Story of the Stolen Underwater Llamas may never have seen the light of day. To better understand how nine Birchwood...
BAAY’s Haunted House event at Boundary Bay returns!
Come one, come all to the 6th annual Nightmare on Railroad in the Boundary Bay Brewery's Haunted Fear Garden! On October 29-31, the brewery warehouse and beer garden will be transformed into spooky scenes filled with ghosts, ghouls, and surprises at every turn. Each...
Camp LarraBAAY Performances
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth presents (abridged performances of) "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Seussical the Musical" at Larrabee State Park! These productions were put on hold in spring of 2020 and the student casts were reunited this summer during BAAY's...
Welcome to our new leadership team!
Hello BAAY community! We are deeply grateful for you, and wanted to take a moment to share where Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth has been this past year, and where we are headed. As the early months of the pandemic unfolded, it became clear that BAAY would have to...
Online Arts Classes for Kids and Teens – Winter 2021
Introducing Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth winter online classes for kids and teens! BAAY’s team is committed to meeting the emotional and creative needs of young people by fostering connection, play, and relationship building. Classes start in January and students...
Register now – new BAAY At Home classes start Monday!
We are proud to offer new BAAY at Home online courses to keep our young artists growing and learning during this time! Visit baay.org to peruse the latest offerings. If you miss a class, no problem. Late registrations are possible and the...