Natalie Merchant Partners with the National Head Start Association to Champion Early Childhood Education and Arts Access

Photo Credit: Joe Mazza / Brave Lux

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Head Start Association (NHSA) has announced a new partnership with acclaimed singer-songwriter and activist Natalie Merchant. This collaboration will highlight the vital role of early childhood learning and expand arts access for the nearly 800,000 children and families served by Head Start programs nationwide.

Through this partnership, Merchant will support NHSA’s mission by gifting them with a curriculum called Cabinet of Wonder in honor of the organization’s 60th anniversary. Cabinet of Wonder is a multimedia collaboration between Merchant, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), and Chicago Children’s Theatre. The project features 17 original songs, written and performed by Merchant with members of the CSO. Through a series of music videos, Merchant’s adaptations of traditional Mother Goose rhymes are acted out by a delightful cast of child actors with stunning costumes, sets, and shadow puppetry by Manuel Cinema. These resources, combined with teaching guides, will help Head Start educators instruct children in Head Start classrooms throughout the nation. All of the content will be freely available.

Merchant first became involved with Head Start eight years ago while volunteering at the Head Start in Troy, NY, as its artist-in-residence for three years. During that time, she taught music and poetry to several hundred preschool-age children while writing the music, and designing, and sewing the costumes used in Cabinet of Wonder. 

“For decades, Natalie Merchant has used her platform to uplift social causes and connect people through music,” said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association. “This experience reflects her dedication to integrating the arts into early learning environments. We are honored to join forces with her to amplify the voices of children, families, and educators who are the heart of Head Start.”

Merchant’s involvement will include special appearances and performances, and collaborative projects with Head Start programs across the country. In addition, she will contribute to NHSA’s public awareness campaign, Voices of Head Start, by sharing stories that showcase the power of early childhood education.

“I’ve always believed that music and the arts are essential to human development, especially in the earliest years,” said Natalie Merchant. “Head Start provides children with the foundation they need to thrive — not just academically, but emotionally and creatively. I’m thrilled to partner with the National Head Start Association to support this essential work.”

This new collaboration aligns with NHSA’s ongoing efforts to elevate the importance of early learning and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

Learn more about the partnership.