About State of Play

An engaging, positive play space for imaginative young explorers

Welcome to State of Play – a play and art space located in the northside Cannery District in Bozeman, Montana.

We help nurture young children's creativity and development through preschool, camps, classes, drop-in care, and birthday parties – while building inclusive, meaningful community for families.

Our thoughtfully curated environment and expert teacher support ensure a holistic, child-led approach that honors each child's unique creativity and learning style – while supporting parents, too.

Most importantly, we cultivate a sense of true belonging here — welcoming, supporting, and celebrating the unique abilities, identities, and interests of all who enter our doors. As part of our mission, we believe in teaching the importance of inclusive community from a young age – which is why our socially and environmentally conscious curriculums and philosophies celebrate diversity and empower advocacy at age-appropriate levels.

So join us for the morning, the afternoon, or every day – and help your little one learn and grow through creative play.

Our Mission

Nurturing Joyful Growth

Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive space for children to play, explore, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning with a foundation of mindfulness — while connecting families and bringing joy to parents.

Our Story

Seeds of Inspiration

State of Play was officially founded in 2020 but began years before that, as a dream shared by Katie Dolen and Kama Werner – for Bozeman, Montana, to have access to a resource that supports kids as well as families. Today, the result of their mutual passion and dedication is a dynamic, child-centered haven that celebrates the curiosity and creativity inherent in every child.

Meet the Team

Guiding Lights

Our team serves as lighthouses, guiding children through the waves of exploration and discovery. Headed by Katie Dolen and Kama Werner, the State of Play crew is composed of seasoned educators and advocates who share a common purpose: to make learning a playful, joy-filled journey for every child.

Katie

Katie Dolen draws from a Master's Degree in Art Therapy and over ten years of teaching experience in progressive schools in New York City and Los Angeles, including the esteemed Blue School, a Reggio-inspired pre-through-middle-school founded by the Blue Man Group. Katie's expertise shines through in every facet and detail of State of Play, reflecting her deep understanding of childhood development.

As an educator, Katie believes that children learn best when provided an inviting environment in which they can have a wide variety of experiences in a rich social context and she finds great value in transforming spaces to help provoke wonder and inspiration.

Kama

Kama Werner leverages her diverse experience in sales, fundraising, and small business leadership, fueled by her enthusiasm for child-led programming and igniting curiosity in children. A mom herself, she spent years searching for a place to witness the magic that happens as her children learned and grew. Tired of trying to figure out which way was "up" in the educational process, she decided to just create what she was looking for.

Kama's motto is "be kind, have compassion for others, and make a difference." When she's not elbow-deep in arts and crafts with the littles at State of Play, she's spending time with her husband, two dogs, two grown children, and a host of friends. Kama also loves to run!

Bailey Carkeek

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Bailey is all about spreading joy! She loves connecting with people of all ages — kids, parents, and grandparents. She's known by teammates and parents as creative and silly, with excitement for each new day, while kids just think she's a blast. Originally from Colorado, she moved to Bozeman in 2017 to attend MSU, where she graduated with a degree in Studio Arts and a focus in painting. Bailey's proud of her journey from art to teaching. She's inspired by kids' unique ideas, and she lives by the motto, "Things can always get more silly." Weekends find her hiking, river-jumping, or biking to local coffee shops. At home, she's got a grumpy cat named Bo and a knack for making killer quesadillas.

Makkela Hubner

OPEN PLAY TEACHER

Makkela’s compassionate, intuitive, and approachable nature shines bright! Kids adore her for her kindness, boundless energy, and the captivating array of earrings that she sports. Makkela’s diverse experiences in various school settings shaped her perspective and developed her capacity for playful, caring leadership. Beyond her work, Makkela's most cherished role is being a big sister to two younger siblings. When she’s not pouring her heart into creating a safe and enjoyable space for kids at State of Play, Makkela can be found outdoors with friends, cozy on her couch with a good book, or at a coffee shop tackling schoolwork. Her personal motto is simply, "breathe!"

Laura Maheux

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Laura creates an inspired, magical learning atmosphere that encourages children's confident self-expression. Raised in an artistic and outdoorsy New England family, she studied ceramics and education in college before embarking on backpacking adventures and learning to snowboard. Inspired by passionate early childhood educators, she pursued a Master's degree in educational psychology, specializing in the Reggio Emilia approach. Today, Laura shares her life with her husband, Craig Maheux, their two wonderful children, Brayden and Jasper, and two furry companions, Mabel, a Bernese-Doodle, and Jenga, a rescue cat. Laura enjoys live music, the company of expressive individuals, and the beauty of nature.

Anna Hawkins-Saurer

PRESCHOOL ART SPECIALIST

Anna, our kind, compassionate Preschool Art Specialist and Atelierista, brings a burst of creativity to every moment at State of Play! She believes art in all its forms, mediums, and subjects is integral to the human experience. Raised by two working artist parents in a small Minnesota town, Anna went on to graduate from Luther College with a BA in Studio Art, concentrating in Printmaking and Art Education. Anna is inspired by learning, teaching, and play, and is thrilled to help nurture Bozeman’s all-ages art scene. She is happiest when outdoors – mountain biking, fly fishing, or skiing. And if you're looking for her on the weekends, try Wild Crumb around 9 am – she'll likely be savoring breakfast and soaking up the day!

Alicia Dyogi

OPEN PLAY TEACHER

Alicia, fondly known as "the face painter" by our young learners, brings joy and creativity to every weekend at State of Play. Originally from San Francisco, she followed her heart to Bozeman, shifting from marketing to art education, driven by a passion for mental health and mindfulness. Her approach is a blend of patience and kindness, combined with her innate, easy-going nature that allows children to express their creativity freely.

Outside of school, Alicia's love for connection and enjoying the present moment shines through, whether she's crafting in her room on cold days or enjoying the sun in her hammock. With aspirations in art therapy, Alicia's motto, "Whatever is meant for you will find you,” guides her dedication to nurturing young minds. For a heartwarming conversation, catch her at a cafe – she never misses an opportunity for a coffee!

Keana Gravett

OPEN PLAY TEACHER

As Open Play teacher, Keana is patient, empathetic, and infectiously enthusiastic. She loves seeing the untamed creativity and animated personalities of children as they explore and connect. She believes in the vital importance of play as a time for children to be free and enjoy the essence of being young. Keana's ability to make connections and dive into new experiences without hesitation makes her an ideal guide to cultivate an atmosphere of learning and fun.

With roots in Seal Beach, California, she ventured to Montana in 2017 to pursue higher education at MSU, earning her Bachelor of Science in Community Health with a minor in Human Development. Keana draws inspiration from nature, her siblings, and friends. Her motto, "Do what you love; love what you do," expresses a joyful approach to life and work. On weekends, you can spot Keana perusing the local farmers market or volunteering at the NICU. She's also a rockhound with a knack for identifying crystals – a gem of a skill that complements her vibrant personality.

Jade Bash

OPEN PLAY TEACHER

Jade comes to us from Southern Utah originally and recenting moving to Bozeman to pursue a degree in art education. She has fallen in love with the community of Bozeman and adores her work at State of Play. Jade's favorite role as an educator is encouraging children to explore creative spaces with open and kind minds. Her family and friends often describe Jade as creative, kind and a good listener. 

When not in school or at work, you can find Jade spending time exploring the outdoors, finding the latest deal at the thrift store, or starting a new art project. Her favorite mediums to work with are clay and fabric. Check out her wardrobe as she has made too many outfits to count as well as created almost all of my parent's dishware!

Bios and images coming soon for…

Makkela Hubner | Jade Bash | Maya Christian

From drop-ins and parties to preschool, camps, and classes, there's something for everyone at State of Play.

Playspace

Our 3,000-sf facility is designed for play and art exploration, fostering cognitive, physical, and social growth. It's home to features like a geometric play fort, inspiring art studio, sensory bins, block zone, and even a glow cave!

Preschool

Our preschool program values creative expression and social and emotional development as much as academics. We provide children with a variety of inviting and open-ended materials, along with one-on-one and group facilitation.

Camps, Classes, and After-School

We offer teacher-led activities during the day, after school, and in the evenings. Our camps and classes offer engaging, approachable ways for children to learn, play and grow.

Birthday Parties

We provide exclusive access to our entire space for your child's special day, creating the best day ever for them and a hassle-free experience for you.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

At State of Play, we believe all people deserve access to high-quality creative experiences.

As aspiring allies, we strive to provide a safe and inclusive space, with programming and curriculum that is rich with opportunities to encourage compassionate, socially-minded thinking: celebrating inclusivity, embodying anti-racism, and empowering our youngest learners to be advocates for all. We believe this work should begin from birth, and that the arts are a powerful tool in inspiring the next generation of global change-makers.

Through State of Play's Equitable Access Program, we have established a scholarship fund to support families in need with free or discounted Open Play sessions. Contact us if you want to contribute to our fund or learn more about our Equitable Access Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What makes us unique is our dedication to being so! Anyone can build a play space, fill it with nice toys, and call it a day. But what inspires us is to go beyond that and think about how our space for families can positively impact our community. When we first started, we asked ourselves: How can we create a space where curiosity is encouraged, play is valued, and all feel welcome? So, how exactly do we do that? As aspiring allies, we understand that we will continuously be defining how State of Play practices inclusivity.

    • Inclusive Library: Our commitment to having a collection of inclusive books is crucial for our mission to inspire awareness in all the families who visit us. Books are a wonderful way to involve children in the important conversations happening in our world in developmentally appropriate ways.

    • Scaffolding/Supporting For Clients (little and big ones): Not everyone has the instinct for play – or maybe they've grown up and forgotten how to. Some children have limited access or experience with open-ended materials. Our educators act as floaters around the space, supporting in our art studio, and gently observing and noticing if friends need assistance in understanding how to interact with our invitations by posing questions, adding materials, or teaching our curriculum.

    • Classes, Offerings, and Stations: Our classes and offerings shift periodically and often so that there's something new to discover when you visit!

  • We believe that ALL children deserve access to high-quality creative experiences. Through our Equitable Access Program, we have established a scholarship fund to provide free or discounted play to those who would like to participate in our program. We are working with local nonprofits, pairing Open Play passes with members of our community who have young children. Contact us at info@stateofplay.co if you'd like to learn more.