NGV Teens Art Party

Art Party Celebrates Individuality in After-Hours Party

In a teen-only celebration of art and culture, Karen From Finance, one of Melbourne's most illustrious drag performers, is headlining the bi-annual NGV Teens Art Party, performing a range of lip-sync performances. Art Party is a highlight event on the social calendar for young people, and is open to all teenagers aged 13 - 17. Offering exclusive after-hours access to the NGV Triennial, now in its final weeks, this action packed event will also feature a non-stop dance set from Melbourne's DJ Slymewave (one half of Big Scary), and a spoken word performance presented by Afro Hub, as well as a -speed-dating' style workshop by Hana Assafiri.

Inspired by the NGV Triennial and in particular its exploration of identity and the body, Art Party provides a platform for teenagers to experience the world's leading contemporary art and design from more than 100 artists and designers from across 32 countries.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV said -Inclusivity and diversity are a key tenet of the NGV Triennial, and Art Party allows teenagers to explore key themes of the exhibition in a welcoming environment. Since the NGV Triennial opened in December 2017, more than 88,000 young people have visited the exhibition and Art Party invites young art enthusiasts to get even closer to the art and ideas of the Triennial, on their own terms, and with their peers.'

Aretha, 16, Williamstown, attended the 2017 Art Party in October and commented -The Art Party appealed to me because it's a fun and safe place where people from all walks of life can come together and appreciate incredible art, fashion and design here in Melbourne. I think it's a great space to get young artists and like-minded people together, and it's just a great night out to bring together people from different suburbs and backgrounds and enables them to express themselves.'

Highlight events of the April Art Party include:

Melbourne DJ Slymewave, who will be performing old-school RnB classics through to the latest pop tracks while sharing the stage with the iconic Karen From Finance who will have the crowd singing and dancing  with her lip-sync and sing-along performances;

Pidapipo's hand-made gelato in range of Triennial-inspired international flavours, available for purchase alongside free tastings of T2's iced tea;

Afro Hub, a collective of creatives from Melbourne's African community, in poetry slams throughout the Ground Level of the Triennial that encourage young guests to engage directly with NGV Triennial themes including diversity and identity;

Hana Assafiri, Melbourne activist and Moroccan Soup Kitchen restaurateur, in an event that invites teens to ask a group of Muslim women anything about their faith in a -speed-dating' style workshop inside Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj's Noss Noss, 2017, and

Pop-up tours of Triennial highlights led by students from the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Involved with the program this year, the 2018 NGV Teen Council, are a dedicated team of teenagers from across Melbourne who have come on board at the NGV to learn the ropes of the gallery and contribute to teen events. This Art Party is the first major event the team of eleven teenagers has worked on.

NGV Art Party will be held at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Australia on Saturday 7 April from 6 – 9pm. Tickets are avaliable for students aged 13 – 17 with valid secondry school ID. More information is available from the NGV website NGV.MELBOURNE.

Members $8.00 | Students $10.00

The NGV wishes to acknowledge The Ullmer Family Foundation for their generous support of NGV Teens. The NGV Kids program is supported by a grant from the Truby & Florence Williams Charitable Trust.