Gallery Kids Festival

These September school holidays the Art Gallery of New South Wales will present the second annual Gallery Kids Festival featuring a free program of music, performances, film, art making activities and tours for the whole family to enjoy, from 20 September to 2 October 2015.

The 13-day festival includes an exciting array of free daily activities that provide opportunities for children and parents to interact with the art currently on display at the gallery.

Victoria Collings, Senior Coordinator, Education Programs at the Art Gallery of New South Wales said, 'The Gallery Kids Festival brings art to life for children of all ages, capturing their imaginations and unleashing their creativity through a series of fun, hands-on activities and events.

'We are delighted to offer an extended Gallery Kids Festival following the overwhelming success of the one-day Gallery kids event held last year and we look forward to welcoming both Gallery regulars and first time visitors to enjoy a packed program of family events."

The entertaining Gallery Kids Festival program is designed for children aged 3 years and older and events include:

Chromoscope Performance

Marvel at the Etcetera Duo in a special performance series that brings to life some of the most colourful artworks in the Gallery through mime, magic and illusion.

Drop in and Make, Draw and Print

Children can discover their inner artist with a series of free art-making workshops including drawing, design and printmaking. Whether they are inspired to create a pair of decorative glasses and view the Gallery through colourful lenses, or create their own abstract artwork inspired by some of the Gallery's favourite artists including, Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol, there's something for children of all ages.

Kids' Kitchen Garden Tour

Explore the onsite kitchen garden on an exclusive tour with Pete the gardener to find out about fresh produce grown for the Gallery café and restaurant, CHISWICK at the Gallery.

Conservation Tour

Take a sneak peek at the work of the Gallery's conservation team to see how they care for the artworks in the collection and prepare them for display.

Gallery Kids Movies

Watch a series of charming Australian family films and rare Disney classics to entertain, inspire and educate children and adults alike. Films include the much-loved Babe and Babe: Pig in the City, Dot and the Whale and classic Disney short films featuring Mickey Mouse, Pluto the Pup, Donald Duck and a host of other imagined creatures, created between 1935 and 1950, using beautiful hand-drawn techniques.

Gallery Kids Music

A special series of performances of classical and popular children's music, including a selection of Disney favourites in the beautiful Grand Courts at the Gallery. Presented by the Australian Institute of Music, with artistic direction by Dr Elizabeth Jones, sessions will include the classic, One Piano – Four Hands, a medley of melodies and rising stars from AIMS's Woodwind Department.

Colourwheel

Explore the Gallery with a colourful children's trail on a specially designed route around the exhibition to assist children to interpret the artworks in a fun and engaging way and then spend some time making your own art in the exhibition's activity zone. Hours: Admission: More info: Open daily 10am–5pm, Wednesdays until 10pm Except Christmas Day and Good Friday Free artgallery.nsw.gov.au Art Gallery of New South Wales The Domain, Sydney Media contact Lisa Catt e: t: m: lisa.catt@ag.nsw.gov.au (02) 9225 1791 0431 509 978

Tours for Tots: Colours of Australia

Youngsters aged 3 to 5 years of age can join the fun with an immersive art-making tour. Bookings essential.

New Voices Art Talks

Be inspired by the colourful world of art through the eyes of young art enthusiasts.

Children's Access Workshop: Colour and Collage

Children with specific needs are invited to express their creativity in a fun and encouraging way using collage to create their own colourful artwork. Bookings essential.

Children's Access Tour: Character Capers

Children with special needs can take a sensory tour to visit some of the many portraits in the Gallery and meet an array of intriguing characters. Bookings essential.

Children's Access Tour: Bush Adventures

Take a sensory tour into rural Australia visiting some of the engaging paintings in the Gallery's Australian collection. The tour will also be Auslan-interpreted for deaf and hearing-impaired visitors. Bookings essential.

The Gallery Kids Festival 2015 is proudly supported by Principal Sponsors, State Street.

Events are free. Entry to see the Gallery's permanent galleries and most temporary exhibitions is free. For paying exhibitions, children under five are admitted free and there are family discounts to ticketed major exhibitions.