NGV Kids Summer Festival

An Action-Packed FREE 7-day Event

8 – 14 January 2018, 10am – 3pm | NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia | FREE

Vibrant street art from Indonesia and quirky performances from a bird-calling entertainer- the NGV Kids Summer Festival is back!  Running January 8 – 14, the Festival is an action-packed, seven days of FREE hands on activities and workshops for kids and families. From watercolour painting workshops for teens through to collaborative board games for the entire family, the 2018 NGV Kids Summer Festival will host workshops by Indonesian artist Uji (Hahan) Handoko Eko and local artists, as well as live performances by the dynamic Madame Lark. 

Inspired by the NGV Triennial theme of the body, visitors are encouraged to -play, move and make' in events at NGV International and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia between 10am – 3pm daily.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV said -the NGV Kids Summer Festival is one of the most popular events for children and families at the NGV and it is an integral part of the Gallery's commitment to providing a range of accessible art programs to visitors of all ages. This annual event ensures children through to teenagers and their families have the ability to access and connect with art in a dynamic program.'

Festival highlights include:

NGV Triennial artist Hahan, based in Indonesia, will lead a range of workshops at NGV International. Introducing children to his use of symbols and street art-inspired characters. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the artist and create their own wearable works of art.

Internationally renowned Australian performer, Christine Johnston, will delight all ages as Madame Lark, taking to the stage with her harmonious -symphony of ridiculousness'. Performing at NGV International from 11 – 14 January, Madam Lark will encourage children and families to get out of their seats and join in the festivities with music, movement and comedy.

For the first time, the NGV Kids Summer Festival will introduce programs for teenagers, with a botanical painting workshop hosted by Melbourne-based textile designer and illustrator Shelley Steer, at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.

From flora through to fauna, visitors will explore the theme of the natural environment learning about a range of lesser-known endangered animals such as the aye-aye, a lemur native to Madagascar during workshops held by Melbourne illustrator and textile designer Shuh Lee. 

Moscow-based NGV Triennial artist Olga Chernysheva has created a colourful Exquisite Corpse-inspired drawing flipbook inviting visitors to create their own unique creatures.

Other hands on activities include a board game in which players complete drawing challenges, perform impromptu acts and answer trivia questions in a race to the finish.

Also for children and families and part of NGV Triennial, Dutch art collective We Make Carpets have created their first ever large-scale interactive installation within the children's gallery at NGV International dedicated to four tactile, colourful artworks. Visitors of all ages can explore and interact with these intricately designed activity walls created from thousands of household objects such as kitchen sponges and foam pool noodles.

The 2018 NGV Kids Summer Festival will run daily from Monday 8 January to Sunday 14 January 2018, for more information please visit the website: NGV.MELBOURNE. NGV Triennial will be on display at NGV International from 15 December 2018 to 15 April 2018. Visit NGV.MELBOURNE for details.

Supported by Krystyna Campbell-Pretty and the Campbell-Pretty Family, The Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust, The Ullmer Family Foundation and Official Supplier Canson Australia.