The Puppetry Institute serves the Central Coast and surrounding areas, giving all who walk through the doors a chance to experience first hand the beauty and wonder of an art form that encompasses all the other arts into one. Our goal is to promote creativity and make it accessible to everyone, while teaching valuable skills and providing a safe space for exploration for all who have the desire to bring their imaginations to life. Our mission is to make the world a cooler place, one puppet at a time!

We are located in two spaces in the Capitola Mall: our nonprofit art center (space C-04), where we offer a wide variety of classes in puppetry, theater, and FX skills, that encompass not only art, but also math, science, and engineering; and "Middleof" (space D-06) our 5,000 sq ft immersive and interactive art experience that transports visitors into a magical dimension where puppetry, technology, and imagination collide. Middleof adventurers are guided through a multisensory landscape, journeying to different dimensions and meeting mythical beings that come to life through touch, movement, artwork and light.

All paid classes and donations support our scholarship program, which makes these art experiences available to underserved or economically disadvantaged youth in Grades K though 12 from throughout the Central Coast region. Middleof also funds our scholarship program, as well as providing employment opportunities for Bay Area actors and artists.

Come adventure with us!
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