The art of generosity at the Art Gallery of South Australia

Art Gallery of South AustraliaThe Art Gallery of South Australia has secured $1 million of funding over the next three years to further develop its children’s programs, including the creation of a program for 13 to 17-year-olds. The generous support comes from two of Australia’s greatest philanthropic organisations and long-time Gallery supporters, The Balnaves Foundation and the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation.

Arts Minister Jack Snelling said the passion and commitment to the Gallery demonstrated by both foundations is exemplary.

“It’s such a generous amount of money and really helps ensure the next generation of arts lovers is catered for,” said Mr Snelling. “Over the past three years the Art Gallery of South Australia has built a children’s program that has had an extraordinary impact on gallery demographics.

“Over 120,000 children have been through the doors of the gallery. The renewed commitment by two of our generous supporters is further confirmation of the importance of nurturing the art leaders and cultural ambassadors of tomorrow.”

Director of Art Gallery of South Australia Nick Mitzevich said the increased support signalled the gallery’s commitment to developing its audiences, now and into the future.

“The Gallery extends its gratitude to The Balnaves Foundation and The James & Diana Ramsay Foundation for their foresight and focus on the art of building audiences – and for allowing us to embrace art lead learning through free and widely accessible programs,” said Mr Mitzevich.

From 2016 the Gallery will work with The James & Diana Ramsay Foundation to deliver both the START at the Gallery and The Studio programs – both tailored to five and 10-year-olds,

START is held on the first Sunday of every month and offers an exciting introduction to visual art for children and their families, through art activities, tours, trails, live music and entertainment. The Studio is the Gallery’s dedicated activity space responsive to the Gallery’s extensive collection and changing exhibition program.

The Balnaves Foundation will support the Gallery to deliver a new program for teens called NEO – a dynamic long-term strategy to engage 13 to 17-year-olds. Delivered in conjunction with the Gallery’s growing First Fridays program, NEO will be driven by peer-led learning. The program will be diverse, socially engaged and informal, underpinned by conversations with and about artists.

For more information, visit: www.artgallery.sa.gov.au for details.

Image: Art Gallery of South Australia (supplied)