19 August 2008

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Art galleries your kids will love

There is a broad palette of London venues where children can appreciate and become involved in art. One of the most exciting and striking buildings is the Tate Modern. This former power station retains many of its original features and can be reached by foot over the Millennium Bridge, by boat, car or bus. A first visit can seem a bit overwhelming; as you step into the vast turbine hall with its gantries and lifting gear, it's hard to know where to start. Studio C on the third floor provides a friendly entry point where each Sunday family activities give everyone a chance to try their hand. Alternatively try the Children's Audio Tour, narrated by Michael Rosen, the two half hour tours give kids a great introduction to the Collection Displays.

Although Tate Britain appears to be the Tate Modern's geekier, older brother, it is in fact a haven of an attraction for children. Whether you dip into the weekend art trolley or take the opportunity to take five in the Artspace room, you are guaranteed an enjoyable visit.

Another London landmark, which sits above Trafalgar Square is the wonderful National Gallery, housing one of the greatest collections of European painting in the world, it offers a lively and diverse programme of talks and events for families and young people. Listening posts are dotted round the gallery offering commentaries on the paintings, and the award winning ArtStart interactive system allows you to plan your visit and explore the collection. The well thought out website is a valuable asset to planning your visit.

Just around the corner, a sea of faces greet you at the National Portrait Gallery. Featuring many permanent and visiting collections, there is always something new and interesting to see. The World's Most Photographed exhibition on until October 23rd, goes beyond the well known images of the famous icons of our age to present a fascinating experience. Add to your enjoyment of the gallery by picking up a backpack full of absorbing activities.

The Wallace Collection, bequeathed to the nation by Lady Wallace in 1897, is one of the finest ever assembled by one family. The Collection holds one the best education departments in London with a myriad of events from family workshops to drop-in events and lectures. Every Sunday Associate Artist Charlotte Hodes holds a drawing workshop, and every day families can drop into the museum and try on armour in the Conservation Gallery.

Half a million people visited the Photographers' Gallery last year, with its two spaces, and one of Europe's larges photographic bookshops, it's varied programme of exhibitions and events make it a dynamic and exciting venue.

The collection at the Royal Academy ranges from the 18th Century to the present day. Though most renound for its Summer Exhibition there are many permanent collections worth visiting, pick up an 'Art Detective's Guide' when you arrive to help you enjoy the Gallery.

The new Learning Centre, in the beautiful vaulted spaces of the East Building of Somerset House is home to a new extensive programme of courses, workshops, tours and events at the Courtauld Institute Gallery . The Saturday Workshops are full of mystery tours and storytelling.

Hidden away, in the O2 Centre, amidst the hurly burly of traffic and shoppers in the Finchley Road is the London International Gallery of Children's Art. Devoted to encouraging artistic creativity in children, the Centre exhibits art from children all over the world and offers a range of workshops and courses for children aged 2-12.

Camden Arts Centre encourages visitors to actively engage with art, artists and ideas through a frequently changing programme of exhibitions and education.

The Barbican Art Gallery offers workshops and currently a special tea and cake offer until 11th September. But before you take a slurp of tea from your mug or cup, you might want to take the opportunity to take a look at Table Manners, an exhibition which presents an unexpected look at the everyday objects that grace our tabletops, one of the many featured at the The Crafts Council. It is Britain's largest crafts gallery, which hosts a continuous programme of major craft exhibitions, some of which tour nationally and internationally.Council.

Surrounded by the beautiful parkland of Kensington Gardens and housed in the classic architecture of a 1930's tea pavilion, The Serpentine Gallery is an unexpected treasure, and at the South Bank Centre, the Hayward Gallery shows touring exhibitions and the Arts Council Collections, as well as the Waterloo Sunset Pavilion which was conceived as a drop in centre for children and old people as a space for viewing cartoons, getting together and having fun in between exhibitions.

The most beautiful small art gallery in the world, according to the Sunday Telegraph is the Dulwich Picture Gallery . Housing a magnificent collection of old Masters including Rubens, Rembrandt and Gainsborough, the gallery also holds many events for young people and families including After School Art Club, courses and Evening Art School for 11-18 year olds.

If you visit the South London Gallery, leave yourself enough time to walk five minutes down the road to the House Gallery. And if you want to combine a sport of art appreciation and amphitheatre recreation then pay a visit to the Guildhall Art Gallery where the 1988 discovery of a Roman amphitheatre adds an extra dimension to this rather under frequented gallery.

Finally, spare some time to visit the Whitechapel Gallery where part of its remit of the is to ensure that children have access to the works in the gallery, this means that there are often workshops linked to the exhibitons

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