Queensland Art Gallery Annual Report 2002-03

'Kids' APT' 'Kids' APT' in 2002 represented a significant innovation in children's programming in art museums. Through specially commissioned art works by four APT artists, 'Kids' APT' successfully engaged children aged 3 to 12 in creative, hands-on interaction with the ideas and practices of contemporary artists. An important element of the Gallery's communication with children was the creation of Bug Master - an appealing bug-like character designed as the mascot for 'Kids' APT'. Bug Master appeared in the children's activity book, and on the children's labels which accompanied selected works in the exhibition. As part of 'Kids' APT', the Gallery launched its first children's festival - 'Kids' APT Summer Spectacular' - held from 11 to 25 January. The program presented 15 days of Asian and Pacific arts, cultures, myths and legends just for kids, with more than 30 performances, as well as facilitated and self-directed activities that took immediate inspiration and influence from APT 2002 art works. The event was enormously successful, attracting more than 50 000 people (an average of more than 3000 per day). 'Kids' APT Summer Spectacular' was a collaborative venture, drawing on the expertise of different public programs and curatorial staff, as well as external academics from the Queensland University of Technology's School of Early Childhood. Th.rough the assistance of 27 supervisors, a rotating roster of 44 volunteers, an internal project team of 16, and the generous time of other Gallery staff, 'Kids' APT Summer Spectacular' was able to provide a network of people who were in direct contact with visitors at all times. This level of involvement with the community was a to lead children on an exciting storytelling trail that unravelled Pacific mythology and legends in the work of APT 2002 artists Lisa Reihana, Nalini Malani, Sofia Tekela-Smith, and Niki Hastings-McFall. The public responded positively to the interactive elements of 'Kids' APT Summer Spectacular' - wearable Bug Master 'antennae' and activity books were given to children on arrival, and there were many opportunities for hands-on creative activities. Bug Master himself was brought to life by local drama students who performed in a life-sized costume, and he attracted many enthusiastic children at each of his daily appearances. APT programs for young people More than 400 young people participated in the range of programs designed to establish connections between young people, APT artists, and local contemporary artists whose practice was linked to work in the exhibition. One of the highlights of the youth program was the APT 2002 New Media Workshops series. The workshops offered 60 participants the rare opportunity to work closely with four APT 2002 artists - Heri Dono, Lisa Reihana, Song Dong and Nalini Malani - in an intensive workshop environment. In addition, the new media curator and writer Johan Pijnappel gave lectures to the participants each week. A total of 17 new video works were created as a result of the workshops. Presented in collaboration with the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, the workshops were assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council. rewarding experience for all staff, and was shared by This was the first time the Queensland Art Gallery had the eager supervisors, the majority of whom were initiated a series of workshops specifically geared young, local practising artists and university students. towards new media and hybrid arts. Facilitating these workshops highlights the Gallery's support of new A special feature of 'Kids' APT Summer Spectacular' was media arts, and has marked an important development the return of APT 2002 artists Siaosi Mulipola and Heri for the Gallery in preparation for the cinematheque Dono. Flying Angels, an activity inspired by Dono, planned for the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. enabled children to create their own colourful angel, like those the artist had suspended in the Gallery's foyer. Siaosi Mulipola returned as alter ego Perlie Shellz 22 Publ ication and webs ite The 160-page, full-colour monograph proved popular with audiences. Edited by Lynne Seear, Assistant Director (Curatorial and Collection Development), the APT 2002 publication - the first major publishing initiative of the Australian Centre of Asia-Pacific Art (ACAPA) - is part of the Gallery's continued program of scholarship and publishing in the area of Asian and Pacific art, a program which will be further enhanced by ACAPA. A number of APT 2002 publications received awards for graphic design. The monograph was awarded the silver medal for case-bound books at the Queensland Printing Industry Craftsmanship Awards. Awards and commendations were also received from the Museums Australia Publication Design Awards for the APT 2002 education resource kit Uoint winner). the 'Kids' APT Summer Spectacular' promotional poster (highly commended) and the 'Kids' APT' children's activity book (highly commended). In collaboration with Education Queensland, the Gallery made the APT 2002 education resource kit available to all public and private schools in Queensland to ensure the exhibition could be accessed by schools regardless of their geographical location. The APT 2002 website <www.qag.qld.gov.au/apt2002 > recorded more than 3.5 million hits during the course of the exhibition, making it the most popular on line presentation by the Gallery to date.