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

MEDIA RELEASE - SUPPORT MATERIAL ASIA-PACIFIC TRIENNIAL OF CONTEMPORARY ART 2002: KIDS’ APT FACT SHEET • Parents are invited to discover just how much fun contemporary art can be by bringing their children to Kids’ APT, an innovative program of artworks and activities for children aged three to 12. Kids’ APT creates meaningful interactions between children and contemporary art, continuing the Queensland Art Gallery’s commitment to its youngest audiences. • Kids’ APT represents an important innovation in children’s programs within major art museums in Australia. In 1999, Kids’ APT was nominated as one of the top four most appealing elements of APT 3. More than 10,000 activity books were distributed. • A most significant feature of Kids’ APT is the activity area, where children can enjoy hands-on creative interaction with artworks created specially by a selection of APT artists. They will be able to decorate a completely white room with coloured dots, make a piece of portrait wallpaper using an interactive computer artwork, mini artworks and Pacific leis. • A free children’s activity book is given to every child who visits APT 2002. It provides interesting and educational ideas that will delight and captivate children. It directs children to selected artworks where they are stimulated with drawing, writing and observational activities. The activity books introduce Bug Master, a character specially created for Kids’ APT. Bug Master is a wise little bug who introduces children to the contemporary art and culture of Asia and the Pacific. Bug Master appears throughout the exhibition, wherever there is something for children. • Free creative activities for children are held in the Sculpture Courtyard on Sunday afternoons – for example creating artworks with artist Song Dong; designing wallpaper inspired by artist Suh Do-Ho; making gold lotus flowers, and ‘shadow prints’ or photograms. • Artist Heri Dono will conduct school holiday workshops for seven to 12 year-olds, from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday, September 25. Cost is $16.50 (including GST). Bookings, telephone (07) 3840 7255. • During the Christmas holidays, Kids’ APT will present a Children’s Festival from January 11 to 25. The festival will be a celebration of art, dance and music from across the Asia-Pacific region, and will present a range of fabulous creative, cultural and art-making activities – tai chi, kung-fu, Asian cooking, noodle making, origami, bubble sculpture and much more. And – it’s free! • Selected artworks will have easy to read labels with questions designed to enhance children’s understanding of the artwork. 79