BENEFITS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN VISITING AN ART GALLERY
“The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create.” – Barack Obama
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats
When children visit an art gallery they are inspired, introduced to a new community, their emotional intelligence is boosted and that’s just the start.
Children are totally immersed in art when they visit a gallery. They can see it, smell it, hear it and, with permission, even touch it. They see how art is created and can meet artist and talk to them. This inspires their own creativity and imagination, not just in art making, but in all aspects of their lives. Seeing art on a screen is no substitute for the real thing.
When children visit an art gallery they become part of a new community, the creative community. It helps them to develop a sense of their own identity and find their place in the outside world. Creativity is valued in this community and for many children this is an important aspect of their lives which it is often hard to get acknowledgement and acceptance for.
Visiting art galleries and being surrounded by creativity boosts emotional intelligence. Children become smarter, freer, more tolerant, considerate, at peace and better critical thinkers. This helps them become happier and the people we all want to be.
This is just a small summary of some of the many benefits of visiting an art gallery. Other websites are listed below which you are encouraged to explore and discover what a gallery visit can do for you and your class.
Gang Gang Gallery would like to extend an invitation to you as teachers and carers to bring your children as often as you can to the Gallery. Entry is free and for many Lithgow schools we are within walking distance. We suggest you spend an hour at the Gallery and finish up with some time in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park opposite us. You can explore the Gallery yourselves, have a tour from staff or we can even organise artists to talk with your class (there may be some costs associated with this option).
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Further information on the benefits of visiting art galleries for children.