Art+Play - A 'please touch' exhibition of contemporary art for young visitors and their grown-ups.
Following a grant from Arts Council England and with the support of North Lincolnshire Council's Early Years Team, eight artists have created new work which has been designed to engage with pre-school children and their carers.
Before producing this work, each artist spent five days working with children in pre-school settings to develop a greater understanding of how they think, play, explore and create.
Based on a theme of the 'creative exploration of materials', the resulting work for the exhibition is interactive and multi-sensory, to appeal to the different learning stages and styles of children, and to stimulate their curiosity leading to learning through creative play.
The participating artists are: Lucy Fergus, Alex Hallowes and Pete Rogers, Kate Sully, Jason Taylor and Kathryn and Rachel Welford and Linda Arkley.
The exhibition is accompanied by the 'Box of Delights' resource. For this, each artist has created a mini exhibit that relates to their artwork in the main exhibition. Each box also includes additional materials and ideas for use. These boxes are available for nurseries, pre-schools, children's centres and foundation classes to borrow and are designed to encourage settings to visit the main exhibition. Alternatively, these boxes could be used by gallery educators as a resource for group visits to their venue.
The exhibition comes complete with plinths, interpertation materials, cushions, beanbags, seats dressing up costumes, a gallery trail and Jason Taylor's Art + Play aphabet activity.
The hire fee is £1,000 per week (plus VAT) and includes one way transportation.
A selection of visitors' comments;
"Fantastic to have something fun (and free) available for the under fives!" - Emma Jones, Kirton.
"Middle-aged but big kids at heart. We loved the exhibition!" Bruno and Megan Watson.
"Innovative and occupied the kids - thank you." K. Carpenter.
"Found running through the voile most invigorating".
"I brought a client who is visually impaired and we had a great time. Lots of things for her to do. She really enjoyed it." Helen Drammel.
"Our sicth visit to Art + Play - my toddler loves it. Only bad bit is how much she cries when its time to go." R Linsdell.
"Genius idea - timing (summer hols) excellent - top fun for young children. Well done."
"The children have really enjoyed their visit. They really liked to interact with the exhibits." - Kingsway Childrens Centre.
"I've come away with some fab ideas to do with kids - thanks." Naomi, Bristol.
"Fastest hour of the week spent here experiencing and investigating for one-year-olds to 10 years. Thanks." Little Frogs Childminding.
Tour schedule:
- 18 June to 3 september 2011 - 20-21 Visual Arts Centre
- 17 December to 4 February 2012 - Mansfield Museum
- 18 February to 14 April 2012 - Doncaster Arts
- 28 April to 16 June 2012 - Turnpike Gallery, Leigh
- 30 June to 16 September 2012 - Ordsall Hall, Salford
- Exhibition available from 29 September 2012 onwards.
For more information or to book this exhibition, contact the Touring Exhibitions Officer, Janine Parrish on 01724 297076 (Monday to Wednesday).
Email: janine.parrish@northlincs.gov.uk.
20-21 Visual Arts Centre
Church Square
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN15 6TB
Tel: 01724 297070
Fax: 01724 297080