Post 8
As this art centre has a theatre, performance spaces, rehearsal rooms and all the technical equipment to host professional show, the new director asked us to research and organise an under 5’s disco. Many hours were spent in contacting local child care centre’s, forwarding information, and re-calls to research the viability of an under 5’s disco. Starting with a list of 58 centers, 3 centers’ eventually booked to come the week before the event. Most centre’s liked the idea but could not come due to the expense of organising transport and getting permission form every child’s parents, as they couldn’t leave some children behind.
On the day of the disco many independent families arrived with children, so we had approx 40 kids. The café was open, the assisting staff had dressed up (see photos) so there was much excitement and buzz. In the disco room the tech manager had set up mirrored balls, DJ pit, masses of balloons that made it look more like a ball room (as in a kids ball room, not a formal dance hall ballroom). This was a great hit especially with the non-dancing boys - no salsa partners for me here!
I would love to be able to post images of the kids in their fancy costumes dancing and playing balloon games, but due to child protection laws I cannot use these images without written permission from their parents or guardians.
What does this have to do with the arts? Naturally the parents and children that arrived early roamed the seven galleries, purchased coffee, signed up to our mailing list, discovered our kids gallery and studio that is open every day at no cost. After the disco, some of the children and parents that had any energy left went to the art studio to do a craft activity. It’s getting heads through the door so it’s great to be able to offer many reasons to come to the centre, and to engage with the various forms of entertainment and education.
Wow Kathie, this sounds amazing! There should be more things like this for under 5's! Its so progressive to think about getting them in early - letting kids know from an early age that galleries and other public institutions are there for everyone - even the toddlers! I remember going to the Tate Modern and finding they had fabulous games/activities for even the really small. There was a kiddies kiosk that they could visit to select an appropriate activity for their age that would focus on one particular exhibition - and it was a way parents can still go and enjoy the art side by side with the little ones. Lets face it who is the audience that is free Mon-Fri 9-5 ? it the seniors and the toddlers! Great work!
ReplyDeleteyep, good plan for audience development. In retrospect, we did offer a diverse range of programs, all very well received, but this centre does have the facilities to be able to deliver it all.
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