I have recently been involved in the Telegraph’s Kids in Museums award. With hands-on opportunities ten-a-penny, museums are really moving with the times and research shows they are more popular than ever with families. While there’s no doubt that all six museums which made it to the shortlist this summer will provide a rich and entertaining experience for their younger visitors, what of the museum’s more grown-up cousin, the gallery? Does this more traditional, static experience have the capacity to capture the hearts and minds of our children?
As a life-long lover of art, recently starved of my eye
candy through maternal duties, I have a selfish motivation when I wonder if
there is room for children to get enthusiastic about art and artefacts that
aren’t all-singing-all-dancing. Admittedly, it was with my own interest at
heart that I set out with my two-year-old daughter to see if simple paintings
on canvas could cut the mustard.
