APT 2002 Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia : Report

KIDS’ APT, CHILDREN + FAMILY PROGRAMS Yayoi Kusama, Kids’ APT interactive artwork Yayoi Kusama, Kids’ APT interactive artwork, artist’s drawing All of the children and family programs, including Kids’ APT, presented throughout this period were linked to the central APT themes or developed in conjunction with APT artists. A large project team developed the programs for the ‘Summer Spectacular’ and included staff from all areas of the Gallery. KIDS’ APT 2002 Kids’ APT 2002 represents significant innovation in children’s programming in Art Museums, both nationally and internationally. A major feature of the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT), Kids’ APT is designed to engage children in creative hands-on interaction with the ideas and practises of contemporary artists. Located in a central space within the Gallery, the program reflects a strong emphasis on contemporary art from the Asia-Pacific region and focusing on making it accessible and relevant to children aged 3-12. Kids’ APT 2002 continued the success of the previous Kids’ APT (which accompanied APT3 in 1999). Children delighted in obliterating a white room with coloured dots (Yayoi Kusama), making a piece of portrait wallpaper through a computer interactive artwork (Suh Do-Ho), drawing on stone using calligraphy brushes and water (Song Dong), and creating a miniature work of art in a matchbox (Eugene Carchesio). These interactive experiences encouraged children to engage in a personal discovery of art. Early childhood staff were employed during weekend periods to interact with children and families. This interaction enhanced children’s understanding and appreciation of the artists featured in Kids’ APT. Once again, the children’s activity book was a very useful tool in promoting closer interaction with and examination of concepts explored in APT 2002 artworks. Research conducted during ‘Summer Spectacular’ highlighted the continuing value of the activity book. Observations revealed that families used these books as a tool to generate meaningful conversation in response to the artworks. Bug Master was created by the Gallery’s designers as the mascot for Kids’ APT 2002 – a recognisable and appealing character appearing wherever there was something for children. The Bug Master appeared on expanded labels especially written for children to accompany selected works in the exhibition. The Kids’ APT web pages proved very useful with parents utilising this resource to prepare themselves for their Gallery visit. The website contained information on children’s workshops, artist information and displayed children’s artistic responses to the artists’ work. 43