Art Galleries are often viewed as adult spaces where children must be kept on a tight rein if they do somehow find themselves visiting. Immediately, upon walking into a gallery, children are told not to touch, to whisper, to quietly walk, all for fear of them intruding into this adult realm and time with the masterpieces. In hushed tones, parents verbally restrain their offspring and by doing so, some researchers argue, prevent them from truly learning within the art arena. Yes, it appears that buzzing around art galleries may actually provide the perfect environments for children to build the foundations for creative learning.
Abigail Hackett, a Post Doctoral Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth at the University of Sheffield has been studying the science of children’s spatialities since 2012. Her research has revealed that the way children move through an environment shapes their learning. She argues, that whilst this doesn’t help them learn about the artworks in particular, it affects the way they learn about the space itself. This gives a little more credibility to the notion that children should be encouraged to explore their spaces.
This will surely contradict the mindset most of us have about art galleries (myself included) where we approach our visits to our favoured art spaces almost like an act of reverence and a chance to become lost in the silence such spaces afford. Whilst it doesn’t prompt the opportunity for a free reign amongst priceless masterpieces, it does encourage more discussion and refraining from cloistering our children as soon as we walk through a gallery door.
On my last visit to the Art Gallery of NSW with Miss Almost-Eight, I decided to let her lead our visit. I didn’t tell her to slow down. I didn’t tell her to quieten her voice (I must admit on arriving on opening so we were usually the only people in each room). I developed a game where she had to select her favourite piece, read the plaque and then teach me about the painting. An immediate flush of enthusiasm washed over her and she bounced from painting to painting, carefully standing in front of them while she critiqued it quietly before selecting her favourite and presenting it to me. When we drove home she asked when we could visit again.
So how do you work towards a successful visit to your favourite art gallery?
- Prepare – Heading to the art gallery will work best if it isn’t a spontaneous trip. Know the opening times so you can arrive before the crowds.
- Choose your gallery well – not all Art Galleries are equal. Some galleries are going to be fairly inaccessible to children (and some adults) with a mature curation of works. Know where children are welcome (check out the gallery’s website to see if they offer activities for kids)
- Set the ground rules – Art Galleries are shared spaces so work out the limits and explicitly explain these to your children. No touching should be at the top of the list.
- Be flexible – if you’re headed to an Art Gallery with your child be prepared to follow their lead. If they’re bored, try an activity but if it doesn’t work you will probably need to move on. If they want to turn left but you want to turn right, why not head left?
- Limit the time – I could spend all day at a good Art Gallery but I know that my daughter can cope with around 60-90 minutes before needing a snack break or a change in activities. Know what time frame you can expect from your kids
- Plan fun activities – Think about how you can help your children access the art through an activity or two. You may ask them to find the oldest painting in the room, or an artist starting with “P”. The artworks may not engage them without a little scaffolding. What does this look like for your family?
- Eat. The bigger galleries will have a cafe or restaurant in them, but if this is outside your budget pack a sandwich and some fruit. You will need to split your trip in half and feed them at the half way mark. I find this quickly reduced irritability and makes for a good trip.
- Relax!
Art Galleries are amazing spaces that can be enjoyed by the young and old. Remember that running around them can actually help your kids learn! When are you headed to one?