National Gallery of Victoria’s first-ever Children’s Festival

Children participating in the Slow Art Collective’s MARLARKY 2013Kids will be honourary guests at the National Gallery of Victoria’s first-ever Children’s Festival offering kids and families a range of inspiring programs involving Melbourne Now artists, designers and performers.

Running over nine days in January, the Children’s Festival will feature hands-on workshops led by some of Melbourne’s most talented practitioners from the worlds of fashion, jewellery and shoemaking will offer a rich fiesta of creative activity.

Children will be invited on tours to ‘dance the art’, become Melbourne Now artists by submitting their own works to a dedicated exhibition, take part in a ping pong tournament or watch special music, theatre and dance performances by artists including the Australian Youth Choir.

Visitors will be able to meet, talk, and work with the artists and designers involved in Melbourne Now, enjoy a picnic and relax in the NGV Garden and hear music and stories in Community Hall, among a host of other programs.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said the initiative formed part of the NGV’s vision to become an international leader in children’s programming through accessible and innovative projects.

“The Children’s Festival will further enrich our offerings for children and families though programming that encourages discovery, curiosity and creative engagement,” said Mr Ellwood.

“We are pleased to announce too that this Festival will become a permanent fixture in our summer calendar, offering children and families a new way of interacting with art and the wealth of creative practice that is on offer today.”

The Children’s Festival runs from 18 – 26 January 2014. For more information and complete program, visit: www.ngv.vic.gov.au for details.

Image: Children participating in the Slow Art Collective’s MARLARKY 2013