The NGV Kids Summer Festival an initiative of the National Gallery of Victoria offers Free Entry for All and runs 10am to 3pm daily January 8 – 14 2018.
Bringing people of all cultures and communities together to create an environment that is not only green and sustainable, but also enriching in the way we live in it and deal with each other is especially helpful when it happens with children through creative expression.
NGV Director Tony Ellwood and ‘kids’ enjoying playing and making
It is about encouraging innovation, building awareness of cultural identity and expanding knowledge about the place we live.
It can also provide an understanding of composition, colour and stimulate the imagination to create complex forms using simple items, breaking down barriers between art and life.
NGV Kids Summer Festival will be held at both NGV International on St Kilda Road, Melbourne and NGV Australia in the Sir Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square.
Inspired by one of the themes of the current NGV Triennial, parents and grandparents with the children in their life can attend with their family and friends to celebrate all the ways they can play, move and make with free hands-on activities and workshops.
It’s enjoyable, educational and allows children from all walks of life and all backgrounds to participate. Arts and craft are promoted as a tool for thought, creativity and cultural engagement for everyone helping to expand understanding and respect for our cultural diversity.
NGV International will host live performances, inspiring many making activities as will meeting the artists, including NGV Triennial artist Uji (Hahan) Handoko Eko Saputro.
NGV Australia, for the first time will host a dedicated artist-led workshop for teenagers who will be invited to explore vibrant painting techniques.
Drawing Nonsense is a particular delight, especially when led by NGV Triennial artist Olga Chernysheva.
This is an activity the community can engage with and articulate its ideas through holding visual conversations.
Other hands on activities include a board game in which players complete drawing challenges, perform impromptu acts and answer trivia questions in a race to the finish.
Installation view of visitors enjoying We Make Carpets’ Hand on: We Make Carpets for Kids display at NGV Triennial at NGV International, 2017, Photo: Eugene Hyland
As part of NGV Triennial, Dutch art collective We Make Carpets have created their first ever large-scale interactive installation within the children’s gallery at NGV International dedicated to four tactile, colourful artworks.
Visitors of all ages can explore and interact with these intricately designed activity walls created from thousands of household objects such as kitchen sponges and foam pool noodles.
Carolyn McDowall, The Culture Concept Circle, 2018
