Kids should go to art galleries - full stop, by Grit

 

Kids! In you go!

The Reina Sofia in Madrid is one formidable modern art gallery, and in Grit's opinion, if you have kids, unmissable.

I don't know if you avoid taking your kids to art galleries.

Perhaps you fret about what other people will say, or worry about the reaction of the art guards, or get anxious about whether your kids will scream, run about, then throw themselves on the floor if you show them a Picabia.

All I want to say is screw that.

All kids belong in art galleries. No negotiation. Art is our culture, our past, our future.

It belongs to our kids as much as to us. And if they stand in that gallery and yell out their guts, then shrug your shoulders, and call it art.

I should warn you, I have one big attitude problem about this. In some places I have thrown Shark, Squirrel and Tiger into those hallowed halls like a hand grenade. Chuck them in the middle of the Hockney and you can see the bomb blast of moral outrage taking place in slow motion all about you.

The indignation, I bet, is mostly from the child free who think they are the only rightful people who should be allowed to look at art. Spare me.

I have been very judgmental about those women in particular who look like high-class hookers clippyclopping Jimmy Choos through the holy house of art.

The same women who, sighting a living breathing child just about to curdle the air with a yellow lungful of howl, recoil with the type of disgust you would reserve for the smell of an eviscerated rat held over a bunsen burner.

Bad luck, ladies. Art is ours.

Art galleries have been our legitimate life and stomping ground since dot. Believe me; me and the gritlets, we are not going away.

I have been very particular about this since I turned that pram sideways to get it through the door of the local art gallery.

And I get worse. I do not even like kids to be quiet in art galleries.

I do not like reverence and hushed voices.

What is this place? A church? Nope. No way.

I have taught Shark, Squirrel and Tiger to march straight in there, own that space and place, stand still and be surrounded by all the art they wish; to point, shout mummmmeeeee! loookatthiiiiis!

Then, if they hate something, I want them to tell me, strong and loud.

And if they like something, I've taught them to lie on the floor, whip out crayons and a sketch pad, copy that idea, and take it home to see if they can model the like.

And do I care about the afflicted souls and morally wounded in our wake? Not at all. Get over it. If I could get past security, I would make it so every parent can bring in orange squash and blankets, and set up squat in the middle of the floor and sit there, discussing whether vinegar on emulsion would have the same effect, then whip out a roll of wall paper and give that idea a go.

Nothing you say will dent me. I congratulate myself for that art is ours attitude. Because I believe it's thanks to that way-of-life education, now I have three kids who can spend five hours in the Renia Sofia.

Success. Take your kids to art galleries. I want to see them there.

See also: Ten tips for enjoying a museum with your pre-schooler

Comments

[Heather]

Can I come with you? I always feel intimidated in art galleries and such like, like I should whisper and walk quietly and as though one isn't allowed to not like something because that makes you a heathen or uneducated or something. I wish art galleries were full of kids making a noise, people have normal conversations etc, it might make it feel a whole lot more accessible for the rest of us.

[Kath@Parklover]

If you're ever in Manchester make sure you go to the Whitworth Gallery - plan it for a Monday and they have workshops for young children that alternate between art, dance, drama and music. You are encouraged to make lots of noise! There's an art cart and actvities at other times for other ages. Fabulous place, I blogged about it here http://parklover.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/whitworth-art-gallery-and-park/
Lots of art galleries around here have taken to having dressing up clothes and props so that your children can recreate the scenes in paintings, and art tables encouraging them to draw what they've seen.

[MrsW]

My only experiences of art galleries here in Scotland have been overwhelmingly positive. The ones I have visited have been uber child friendly and full of enthusiastic (and not so enthusiastic) ankle biters. The ones I haven't visited I just haven't got round to, but they are on our list.

I'd take them anywhere I wanted... there's just sometimes I don't want to ;)

[Jude]

Good for you - I wholeheartedly agree!

[Seo Los Angeles]

Its a nice learning experience for them that is why you should encourage your kids to visit art galleries.

[Baby Registry]

Just this afternoon I took my daughter with me to a painting exhibit at the school that I work at.